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Chapter Text

When Ron received the news that quidditch would be cancelled this year for a more important event, he was outraged. Why was quidditch cancelled out of all things? Of course, that was before Dumbledore announced that the Triwizard tournament would be taking place in Hogwarts this year, but, for sure Dumbledore just had to ruin it again by saying it was only allowed for people the ages of 17. For our safety, he added. As if Ron, Harry, and Hermione didn’t get into dangerous situations for the past 3 years.

“Blimey, quidditch of all things! Do you even know how serious that is to me?!" He exclaimed, voicing his emotions out to Harry and Hermione on the way to their dormitories since he was forced to keep them in in the Great Hall.

"Well, feeling angry definitely isn't going to help, besides, you can use this time to find a new hobby instead of chess. For example, reading! I'm sure it would help a lot for your grades." The nerve she had for for saying that, feeling angry was an understatement!

It was like you were telling Ron that playing a prank that could seriously hurt someone wasn't a big deal. It would have been fine if Dumbledore at least gave a better reason to restrict the younger students like him of joining, but no,it was just the same old excuse. For our safety. "Well, Hermione, I don't really think you would understand given the fact that you weren't the person he was ranting to about quidditch everyday. I think Dumbledore's reason is good enough, but it's fairly unconsidereble to Ron. He has been talking about joining the team for longer than even we were here!" Harry defended against Hermione for Ron.

Good, at least Harry understands him, he has really got to thank him for taking his side all the time despite all the small arguements they had. Even though he has always been a short-tempered person, sometimes, even though he wouldn't admit it, maybe even a prat. And despite all that, they always made up, Harry didn't leave him. He knew what Ron was like most times, but still kept being friends with him, and that was only one of the many reasons that made Ron like him. He was about to talk too when someone interrupted him. 

"Well, I guess that's too bad then, poor little Ron might just have to suck it up his ass since the old hag's not going to change his decision." A familiar voice spoke up sooner. Malfoy, that indescrible annoying, pathetic excuse for a human, space-wasting creature, light blond poop as an ugly example of hair, prat. Malfoy has been bothering them since day 1 in Hogwarts with no  second of rest. Honestly, what gave the reason for him and his little wannabes to insult and bully them everyday? What was worse was that one of the teachers, Professor Snape, always showed favourtism towards his own Slytherin house so he wouldn't cut any house points. But he would tell them to stop, well, only a few times did that actually happen, so Ron still hated him a lot, it didn't help when he had obvious hatred towards Harry, his best mate. And Malfoy would just snicker when Snape proceeded to try and humiliate Harry.

"Well, Malfoy, you should just mind your own business for once and stop being an insufferable buzzing mosquito trying to find more gossip, me feeling mad about quidditch aren't any of your concerns, so unless you have other means to talk about with us, I suggest you fuck off." Ron was really not in a mood to start an arguement or fight right now when he was already in a bad mood, and he swore, that if the narcissistic piece of shit did not leave right now, then he would really lose it. "Ooh, acting tough now, are we? You should know by now that you don't look cool in that tone. In fact, you just look like a annoying baby pouting, throwing a tantrum about why you didn't recieve birthday gifts. " He kept taunting while smirking, Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, and Zabini all laughing right beside him.

Those little flock of minions were always around him, however, he couldn't find it in his mind right now it insult them. He lost it, as he prepared to rush forward to get the first hit, Harry stopped him just in time. "Shut it, Malfoy, you already know he's upset right now. You can surely find somebody else to annoy right now, can't you? You don't want to make a scene here when you know you're just going to get humiliated. " Harry spit back with spite, he was of course annoyed by Malfoy too, but he knew that he couldn't let Ron lose his temper, or he would surely get in trouble. And Harry desperatly didn't wanna Ron to get in trouble, especially because of Malfoy's taunting remarks. And the fact that a crowd was starting to form too.

However, Malfoy just didn't seem to know where to stop, but this time. Instead of smirking, he frowned. "What did you just say, Potter? I would find myself humiliated? I think there's a bit of problem, isn't there? I think you would be the one humiliated, as well as the weasel and mudblood. Don't think that you, your little mudblood friend and that poor blood-traitor are all that just because you went through a few tiny hard-ships." Ron felt Harry trying to hold back on his own beside him. He watched as Harry grit his teeth trying not to let the worst words thought by him out his mouth. Sensing that, Malfoy smirked and spoke again.

"And if the weasel really was that upset about it, maybe he could've asked his father to try and bribe Dumbledore to not cancel it. Oh wait, I forgot, he's poor." He told Harry. Then directed to Ron. "Kinda felt stupid for a moment there, who knew me of all people would forget that you, wearing hand-me-down robes, using an old, broken wand, are poor. I guess it just took me a second to remind myself of your siblings near watching us to remember that you were poor."

And that was it, he struck forward before Harry or Hermione could stop him and swung his fist towards Dracos face. It was so abrupt that Draco had no time to dodge and got hit, his nose bled, there a small wound on his cheek, but that was all. The students surrounding them made a hushed noise,by now, what was once a few students stopping to watch, turned into a crowd of people anticipating for a fight. Unsure of what Draco's reaction would be, they all fell quiet. Too quiet. It took a few seconds for Ron to figure out what he had just done, but he had not regretted it one bit. Insulting him was one thing, but insulting his family was another.

It also took a few seconds for Malfoy to register what had just happened, blown out by shock, he stilled for a moment, then came back to his senses. "You dare hit me, you weasel! You ought to have the bravery of a Hippogriff to dare hit me in the face! You better not go home crying once I finish beating you back! I'll have you know that my father will hear about this!" And with that said, Draco swung back, now it had grown to a full blown fight. Ron was struck in the stomach, and it was painful, but not enough to have him knocked out. They kept fighting, but in the end Malfoy still won, it was not surprising, he had had lessons when he was young to be able to defend himself. While Molly and Arthur were using their money to buy school supplies. Ron still did not accept that, so he kept going.

By now, Malfoy had a dark black wound on his cheek from Ron's fist, his nose bled, and his feet a bit limping. What Ron had was a lot worse compared to Draco. His nose was also bleeding, followed by a black left eye, feet limping, his hands had dark spots, while his right cheek was darkening from an earlier sudden slap. Ron stood up again from the floor and faced Malfoy, he proceeded to swing his hand for a last attempt to push Malfoy onto the floor. But alas, his strength was bound to be used up. Instead of pushing him, it was he who got pushed. After Draco pushed Ron, he climbed over Ron laying on the floor. He took Ron's hands and bound them to each side with his own hands so Ron couldn't try to hit him again. "Accept your defeat, Weasel. We all know this fight won't end up in your odds. You were the one who wanted to start it first, now finish it by accepting that you're just a weak, dumb, loser." 

Ron's hand tried to move to push Malfoy off him, but Draco still had strength, he pinned Ron's hands harder. Ron refused to give up, but he knew he couldn't do anything right now. So what was the solution to that? Obviously, stay silent and rethink about what to do. He could try to bite Malfoy's hands, or maybe kick his crotch, noticing that his legs weren't immobile. Then he looked around, and noticed Harry and Hermione signaling something, but he couldn't understand. The students around were excited, but also a bit quiet, knowing a teacher could come if they made too much noise. He then settled for a kick. He was just about to kick Draco off him.

"What do you think you're doing?" All head's turned towards the sound. Professor Snape. Bloody Hell, it just had to be him of all teacher's. The odd's were definitely not in his favor today. He heard all the student's watching quickly try to leave, but knowing Snape, he wouldn't let them off this easily. "Where do you think you're alll going? Nobody is going to leave until I know what's happening here." Draco then quickly scowled at Ron before getting off and standing back up. Ron also got up after that.

"Nothing, Professor, I was just talking nicely to Weasley and his friends before he thought it would be appropiate to innitiate a fight in the middle of the corridor with students all around." Nicely my buttocks, who was the one making taunting remarks to them while knowing he was in a bad mood? Who was the one who kept continuing when Harry told him to stop? Who was the one who started the arguement by talking first? Who was the one that became a mistake once he was born? And he still had the nerve to lie and blame it all on Ron. He watched as Snape's face scrunched up and tried to figure out if Malfoy was lying, judging by his personality, he probably already knew Malfoy was lying, but he would still take his side after all. Ron thought it was about time he spoke his side, and since there were witnesses, he could probably win this time against Professor Snape if all the student's agreed with him.

"Well, Professor, I would like to disagree with him. Malfoy was the one who started it all by annoying me, Harry and Hermione. I was just complaining about the cancellation of quidditch this year when he decided to speak up and stick his nose in our business. He didn't even try to stop when Harry told him too! He just kept going on and on about how I was poor, and kept calling Hermione a mudblood too! He also insulted Fred, George, and Ginny watching right now, even when they had nothing to do with this! You can't seriously blame me when he was just itching for that punch!" He looked to the other students signaling them to agree, but nobody stepped up, except his friends and siblings. Godric thank them, he honestly couldn't deal with a professor all on his own. Especially when the professor was Snape of all. 

"Professor Snape, you of all people know full well what Malfoy's personality is like. You can easily tell he's lying right? Even though this is your own house, you know what Malfoy can say at the wrong times purposly. There are all other people here who watched what happened from the beginning, but are just too afraid to step up right now!" Hermione said. Even though she was a bit of nerd all the time, she knew when to be helpful, and she knew this was one of the times to be helpful. It appeared not to be very effective though. Not soon after, Pansy spoke up.

"For the brightest witch of our year, I sure didn't expect you to be this dumb. We all know Draco would do something like this, but he doesn't do it without a reason, he also wouldn't do it without someone tipping him off first. So it's obvious that the little blood-traitor did something first. Besides, even if what you just said were true, it doesn't justify Weasley's actions. Didn't you hear before? No matter what, you shouldn't throw the first punch. And what it seemed like was Weasley threw the first punch when Draco was only saying something true. It's not our fault Weasley can't control his own temper and can't handle the truth. If he really hates being that poor, then maybe he should think of more ways to earn money." Saying that, she snickered along with other Slytherins watching.

That git. Not her saying all that as if she wasn't there all the time watching and laughing as Malfoy kept talking shit about Ron. She has got to learn her place and when to talk. Pansy was one of the most annoying girls of all time, clinging onto Draco whenever. It wasn't surprising her personality was bad too. Mocking others at their most vulnerable moment when she herself couldn't even make a single boy fall in love with her.

"But-"

"There's enough that I have heard. Weasley, just because you were taunted by a few remarks made by someone, that does not give you the right to attack first, and Malfoy, even though you have been hit, that also does not give you the right to continue the fight. So both of you are to be expected in detention this Sunday evening at 7:30PM. I will also be deducting 20 points from Gryffindor. Now you all better go off before I think of worse punishments." After he said that, he started leaving. But Ron spoke up before he could get another step.

"But sir! That's dinner time! If we go we'll miss dinner!" he argued. Was he serious?! He couldn't possibly miss dinner. "I don't see how that is my fault Weasley, you brought this upon youself when you hit Malfoy first. Now I suggest you leave before I actually give you a worse punishment than being stuck in detention with Malfoy." Unbelievable! Unfair! How was it that points were deducted so much from Gryffindor but none from Slytherin? Well that was no surprise, considering the fact the it was Professor Snape after all. He had no idea how Snape even got the job and kept it with that blatant favourtism of his, Dumbledore wasn't even doing anything about it too!

Mouth shut with nothing left to say, he could only go back to the dorms like he was orginally going to do before someone interrupted him and caused him detention. Great Ron! You just had to get detention within your first week back! So he did just that and left with Harry and Hermione, but not before scowling one last time at Malfoy, who in return, did the exact same, just nastier.

He noticed the time was already 8:30PM, how did time move so fast? He remembered it only being 7:50 when leaving the Great Hall. He tried to chase his angry thoughts away and thought that was enough negative feelings for today, so he decided to think of something else. "Well at least you didn't get more than just detention, everyone knows that Snape's punishment could have been far worse than that." Harry spoke, breaking the silence between the three of them. Ron didn't even realise it was getting awkward. "Yeah.. By the way, thanks for the help, you guys, I don't think I could've spoken all that by myself.  I honestly just think the reason Snape didn't give me worse punishments was because he didn't want to be seen like a more worse teacher than he already was by other houses." He laughed lightly, along with Harry and Hermione.

Then it became quiet again, he decided that instead of thinking negative thoughts of the Triwizard Tournament, he could also try to find some good in it. Besides, even if Ron could join, he doubted he would get picked out of like all the students in Hogwarts. He decided that Harry was the one who might've gotten picked, seeing as to how most of the things happen to Harry and get him into life-threatening situations.

"You know, maybe, Hermione, you were right, I think i could use this time to do other things, except reading. That reminds me, Viktor Krum is coming here, haven't you heard? Victor Krum! The best seeker in the world, and only at the age of 17!" The madness in his heart quickly resided and was replaced by excitement. Excitement of finally being able to see Viktor Krum for the first time, minus the time he went to the World Cup, and being in the same school as him, even if only temporary. He thought about all the things he could get him to sign. And maybe he could even get to see the Viktor Krum training in his quidditch uniform. Dumbledore did state that quidditch was cancelled, but that didn't mean that they couldn't use the quidditch yard to practice. He heard that the Beauxbatons Acadamy of Magic was going to come here, now that was something worth talking about too. He couldn't imagine how many more pretty girls would appear.

"You know, I heard Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students are going to arrive tomorrow at dinner. I can't wait to finally see Viktor Krum again, oh how lucky I am this year." Harry snickered when Ron said that. "Yeah, keep talking as if you weren't ranting about how much you hated quidditch being cancelled this year." 

"Hey! It's not my fault! Anyone who really loved quidditch like me would've had the same reaction too."

"Sounds like all we need to do to brighten your mood is just bring Viktor Krum in the conversation, Honestly, Ron, why are you so obsessed with him? Fred and George always tells us that you ranted about him everytime at the dinner table before we got invited." Hermione added.

"Blimey, Hermione, you too?! I thought someone as smart as you would at least know what being a fan is!" He really just meant to start a conversation and get his mind of the earlier announcment, but Harry and Hermione weren't helping him at all.

"If bringing him up almost every second we start a conversation about quidditch is called being only a fan, then I would be afraid to know what being obsessed is like for you." Harry talked back.

"You know what, let's just go inside and talk about something else." Seeing as they just arrived at the Gryffindor entrance. He was relieved to put a stop to the conversation. 

"Caput Draconis" spoke Hermione, and the fat lady let them inside.

Once they were inside, they settled for the fireplace, where they sat almost everytime. The warmth was just what Ron needed for the start of the term. It was already September 1st, and he got reminded that he still had to settle his things and prepare for the next day of class. It was peaceful, to say the least, that the three of them could finally have a normal school year after all they've gone through the past three years. He knew whatever happened this year, they, the trio, would find a way to put a stop to it and be seen as heroes again. It was already 8:49PM and getting late, so he figured he should head to sleep earlier than normal.

"I better go sleep first, wouldn't want to fall asleep in class on the first day." He told them. "Alright, mate, sleep well." followed by a "Goodnight." answered him back. Then he headed for boy's dorm room, he first unpacked his items, after finishing unpacking all his stuff. He laid flat on the bed, exhausted from the first day. Ron started to recount the events that had happened today, and started to get irritated again. He just couldn't stop thinking about Malfoy's taunting remarks, he knew that what he said was mostly false, and that he said it just to rile Ron up, but sometimes it just really got into his head. He decided to just try and forget it. He closed his eyes, trying to forget everything and let sleep overtake him. After some time, sleep did overtake him.

He was in a garden, laying on the green grass, staring up on the sky why thinking about his life decisions. If he had made the right choices, to befriend the boy-who-lived and the brightest witch of their age, to sacrifice himself in the wizard's chess game in first year for Harry and Hermione, to stay on the other side of the boulders seperating him and Harry and look after Lockhart while his friend went to fight the basilisk alone in order to rescue Ginny and Hermione, to protect Harry and Hermione against a werewolf even when his leg was broken. He wondered if what he did was the correct thing. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. Nevertheless, it had already been done, so there was nothing much left to say. He thought. "Maybe, just maybe, if we had a normal year without having to face any dangerous events. We could find a day to go to Hogsmeade together during Winter and have a snowball fight, along with Neville, Dean, Seamus, Ginny, Fred and George. We could visit the muggle world during the holidays and watch all the films Hermione has been talking about, without worrying about anything, of course."

Back then, if you told Ron about all these dreams he had, he would've laughed and said there was no way it could happen with everything going on. But now, seeing as nothing has been going on for now, he thought, perhaps this is the year we can fulfill all our wishes. While the past three years weren't as depressing as Ron mentioned it to be, but it wasn't anything that happy either. Sure, there were good times, it was just that they had no time to do all those other things they had wished to do. Although the reason behind why he had faced all those dangerous events were mostly because of Harry. He still would've became friends with him if he was given the choices to go back in time. No matter how much danger he faced because of Harry, he was still enternally greatful to him. For being his friend when he was a Weasley, for taking his side all the time against Hermione even when he was obviously in the wrong, for assuring Ron that he was a great friend, for being selfless, for being so brave to face all the challenges just for Ron and all the other Hogwarts students to live freely and safely.

He wasn't sure what he did in the past life for Godric to gift him with such a blessing excuse of a normal boy to be his friend. But whatever he did, it must've been that great of a deed to be so deserving of Harry Potter. The boy who lived, the boy who defeated he-who-must-not-be-named only at months old, the boy who stopped Voldemort from reviving at 11 years old, the boy who recued Ginny, Hermione, and all the other students who ended up petrified by himself at the age of twelve, the boy who wouldn't hestitate to hurt a superior in order to find the truth about Sirius Black, a criminal, and possibly the cause of his parent's death.

Honestly, he wouldn't want to stop talking about him even if he has been talking about him for years. Not helping the fact that he was handsome enough to make the most handsome man of all the stars in the universe kneel willingly before him. The way his eyes would be filled with determination once he had his mind set on something, how it would impossibly  darken when he was getting angry about something. His nose measured out by rulers for it to fit his face shape perfectly fine. His jawline designed solely to cut even the most narssicistic person to their knees. His glasses, made by the finest quality of glass for its lens, personally picked out by the world's most renowned glasses maker to fit his whole frame. His black hair dark enough to see even the tinies bits of stars in it. His eyes being able to turn the world's ugliest person to a person whose looks could not be imagined with a single glance of their own reflection in his eyes.

That was just how Harry, proudly declaring his best mate, was. That no flaw could be found in him. The most perfect man know to mankind. Heck, he would bet all his money that Malfoy couldn't even find one, and that was saying a lot. He sat up on the green grass and leaned towards a tree nearby. He looked across the horizon. Regarding about his future, he would just leave it at nothing. He was still young, and had no such excuse to be dreaming of something that important when he could just enjoy life right now. He was suddenly interrupted when he felt something pulling him, then he was sucked back to reality.

Ron sat up with a gasp, strange, even though he knew his dream was nothing scary, he still gasped. He thought the dream was weird, but knew it was no use to dig into it right now. It wouldn't do any better trying to fall asleep again, knowing full well he was wide awake. He settled to just go and sit near the window, and look at the night sky while rearranging his thoughts. He was sitting with his arms around his knees right now. He looked around and noticed all his other mates were asleep, it was 2:07AM right now. Dark and quiet, all the things he hated, and yet, he strangely didn't feel really uncomfortable right now. He heard a a bird chirp, and then looked out the window, seeing that it was just a normal small bird, he didn't know what breed it was, found it no use to remember breeds and all their names.

He stared at the stars, it was strangely getting more comfortable by the second, he noticed there were a lot more visible stars late at night with no light around. Just the moon shining through the window, the wind gushing outside, the birds chirping, and the view of Hogwarts gained by looking down from the tower. He leaned his head back, closed his eyes a bit, letting everything fall back into it's place.

"Ron?" His eyes snapped open at the sudden voice. Harry. Why was his best mate awake right now, when he should've been still sleeping like his other dormmates.

"Harry? Why are you awake right now? You should go back into sleeping, It wouldn't do you any good for you to be sleepy on the first day of school." He wondered if it was the birds chirping that woke him up, but decided against it. The birds chirps were too quiet to wake anyone up, even if it were in flocks. He heard Harry let out a small huff, probably a laugh or something.

"I should be the one telling and saying that, Ron. What got you so woken up for you to be very rarely staring out the window in the middle of the night? It isn't something that has been bothering you, right?" How nice of Harry to be worrying about him. Even so, he shouldn't get side-tracted, it was Ron's turn to worry about him after all the times it has been the other way around.

"I asked you first, so you should answer first." He smiled as he said that, probably winning and making Harry answer first. 

"Fine, I guess, that's only fair. I was just woken up by a nightmare, but no need to worry, it was a small one." He laughed sheepishly. He also started to walk towards where Ron sat by the window, and sat next to opposite of him. Doing the exact same position. "Now, before you begin to ask questions, you should answer mine first. Since we agreed to answer each others." 

Ron frowned, how was it that Harry knew he was just about to ask about his nightmare? Seeing as he had no other choice, he could only conceed. "Nothing really, just sorting out some thoughts. This late-night atsmosphere actually feels rather comforting despite hating the dark and quietness, doesn't it? Now that I'm reminded about something else, doesn't it make you think that it's the first time we're really having a normal school year? I really think we deserve it after all that." He let out a small laugh. Ron sensed Harry quiet down more than he already did. Then Harry spoke up. Unexpectedly, he said-

"I'm sorry, Ron." Ron was shocked to say the least, he expected anything else coming out of Harry's mouth, but not a sorry. Why was he apologizing right now? What was he apologizing for?

"Wow.. easy, mate. What are you sorry for? I don't recount you ever doing something to offend me." He asked, but Harry stayed silent, as if he was hestitating and rethinking his answers. Afraid that this was one of those emotinally sensitive times Harry would get during some late night moments, he decided to reassure him nothing was wrong.

"There's nothing wrong right now, mate. You can relax, there's nothing worth apologizing to me for right now. You can talk about your own concerns right now." But despite saying all that, Harry continued.

"I'm sorry, Ron. I'm sorry for exposing you to danger for the past three years. I'm sorry for making you think it was necessary to sacrifice yourself in wizard's chess to save all the students at  Hogwarts. I'm sorry for making you knocked out and for making you terrified out of your life during we fought for the stone. I'm sorry that you thought it was me who could stop Voldemort from reviving, when in reality, you could've very well done it too. I'm sorry for making you steal your dad's enchanted car and driving it underage just to make us get to Hogwarts. I'm sorry that, because of me, you almost got expelled."

He took a breath.

"I'm sorry that you got a Howler and got humilated in front of all of us just because you wanted to get us to school. I'm sorry for trying to shut you up when you were just telling me your fear for spiders. I'm sorry for making you go into the Dark Forest with me even though I knew it was incredibly dangerous. I'm sorry for making you stay in Aragog's nest of spiders even when you wanted to leave. I'm sorry you almost got eaten by spiders because of me. I'm sorry for almost getting you crushed by boulders when Lockhart's curse rebounded and he hit the wall. I'm sorry I risked letting you get in danger by making you stay on the other side with Lockhart, knowing Lockhart didn't have any past memories. I'm sorry for makin-"

"Wait, wait, wait, isn't that too much? Harry, by the way your talking right now, it seems likes you're talking about someone else instead of me. Haha.. Even though I have done things in the past to help, it really wasn't that much. Everything was practically done by mostly you. So you don't need to describe me as someone you might think I am, but really not. We should just forget this and sleep. We're both tired." He decided to cut Harry off, that was definitly something he didn't expect.

What Harry was saying was definitly too much. Everything was definitly too much to comprehend right now. Ron was sure that he felt his face reddening because of embarrassment. What Harry was saying made Ron sound like he was being described as an invincible, brave superhero. Which he very much wasn't. He assumed Harry would just drop it after that, but he certainly didn't expect him to keep continuing again. 

"No, Ron, I need you to know how important you are to me, and I will start off by apologizing every single thing I have done wrong to you. Now, I'm going to continue whether you like it or not. I'm sorry for making you wait while I went to fight. I'm sorry for being unable to protect you when Sirius bit you and dragged you down into the tree. I'm sorry you tried to protect me and Hermione even with a broken leg, when really, I was the one supposed to protect both of you. I'm sorry for running off after Remus and leaving you and Hermione unprotected. I'm sorry you had to stay in bed resting because I wasn't there to protect you from getting bit..."

All of Harry's concerns that he didn't even know he had were being voiced out one by one. And Ron listened. He wouldn't even try to question the sincerity in those words. For, Ron knew that each and every word being spoken out right now was straight from Harry's heart. Even the Elder wand couldn't cast a spell to make him stop. After most was finally said. He spoke again.

"I'm sorry, Ron. That I made you face all these dangers for the past 3 years when you couldv'e lived a normal, happy life without worrying about anything. I'm infinitly greatful to you and will be greatful to you forever. For being my best friend, first friend, sticking to me me throughout the years, and overall, for everything you've done. Believe me, everyday I pray to God before sleeping that, you, will continue to stick by my side the next day and the day after tomorrorow. I always wondered what I did to be so deserving of you, knowing I could never meet a person like you anywhere else. I never even thought about the thoughts that have kept your mind up before, but now that you speak of it, I feel so dumb, never considering your feelings about this before, and dragging you to every life-threatening situations concerning me without asking for your permission or worries. Ron, I'm also happy that we can finally live a normal year, without worrying about anything else. Just me, you, and Hermione living our best life this year at Hogwarts."

And with that all heard, Ron could feel his heart beat rising. It must've been something Harry said to make him like that, but he wouldn't complain. He felt tearful, that was one of the most heartfelt confession directed to him in a long time. He didn't know how to react, respond to all what Harry just told him. He decided to just give some simple reply back.

"Harry,what was done is already done. You don't need to apologize for all that, it isn't your fault and responsibility. Know this, that even if I were given the choice to go back in time to redo anything I wanted, I would not change anything that happened between the two of us and the events that occured the past three years. Harry, meeting you was one of the best choices I have ever made, I wouldn't give it to anyone else, even if I had all my wishes come true." Great, Ron. So much for a simple answer, now he couldn't take it back. Now he was just sounding so unlike him, the atsmosphere must be the one making him say all that.

There was a moment of silence between them, it was getting awkward. He wondered what he said wrong to render Harry speechless. Then he heard a small laugh, to accompany it so it didn't sound as lonely, he laughed too. The sound that filled the room now, were just two boys, laughing after confessing all their emotions felt from their trauma to each other that night. 

They continued laughing, and laughing, until their heart's content.

When they finally slowed down, One asked.

"Want to talk about your nightmares now?"

"Not really, let's just sleep. I'm getting tired."

"Hey, this is unfair, mate!"

Yawn, "Goodnight, Ron. Sweet dreams."

So much for answering after I answered you.

Chapter Text

The next day, Ron woke up feeling sleepier than ever. Well, that was to be expected from the fact he slept at 3AM last night. The time was 6:47 right now. He recalled the memoeries of what happened last night and felt his face flush of embarrasment again. Looking around, he noticed that only Harry was still sleeping. It seemed that all his other friends had gone off to breakfast without waking him up, which they would usually do. He figured that maybe it was because he wouldn't wake up no matter how hard they tried to call him up, seeing as he could be quite a heavy sleeper sometimes. Ron got up and starting getting ready, the usual routine, washing his face, brushing his hair, stuff like that. After finishing, he decided to wake Harry up too, just in case he didn't oversleep and miss breakfast. 

"Harry, wake up. It's already late, you're going to miss breakfast!"

A groan pulled out of Harry, turning and now laying on his right side. He must be really tired. He attempted again. This time, differently.

"Harry! You're going to miss Snape's potions class if you don't wake up right now!"

And Harry shot up hearing that. Realising his own mistake, he made another grown. Ron snickered,

"Don't you remember our first class isn't potions this year? I thought you memorised it already, but then again, that's the sort of thing only Hermione would do on the first day." 

"Oh shut up, I was really out of it."

"Well, come on mate, breakfast isn't gonna eat itself. I'm gonna leave first if you don't start getting ready now. I'm not gonna miss breakfast just because you're whining."

Harry made a frowned face, then reluctantly got up and started getting ready. He sat on Harry's bed while waiting for him. Harry started taking off his shirt to change it into his Gryffindor robes, Ron noticed that over the holidays, his physical appearance really sky-rocketed. Unfair, Ron did grow taller too, but that was nothing compared to the changes Harry had. His abs were more defined and sculptered now, his skintone had a bit tan, and his hair grew longer. Noticing he was checking his best friend out, he looked away quickly. Wanting to know his best mate's secrets about how he changed so quickly. He asked,

"Hey Harry, tell me how you grew more fit over the weeks when you were staying at the Burrow all the time? It doesn't make any sense, I've stayed in the Burrow all my life, and even I didn't experiece that same changes that you have." No mater how he thought about it, it didn't make any sense. Maybe Harry secretly drank a potion without anyone seeing, or maybe he started going on some secret errands which included working out. Harry shrugged,

"Don't know mate. Probably something happened without me knowing." He at least had the decency to continue wearing his clothes. He checked the time again, 6:53,AM he didn't really know why but he has been checking the time a lot more lately. Ron looked back at Harry, he was finally done, took him long enough. Why did he always take so long just to get ready? It wasn't like they were impressing anyone, but he guessed the boy-who-lived had to at least look presentable enough.

"Well you're finally done, please be quicker next time. I really meant it when I said I didn't want to miss breakfast."

"Geez, Ron. All I did was change my clothes and wash my face, are you that impatient? You really ought to take some lessons on how to wait longer. "

"Hey! It's not my fault! Also, you said all you did was change your clothes and wash your face, then why did it take so long? I swear you woke up a hour ago." He was lying, and he knew that. But he would say whatever just to make anyone quicker. And it really wasn't his fault that his patience was the level of an F. He should've blamed his parents instead of him. Curse those passed-down genes from them. Was there any potion he could take to fit Harry's standards? Probably not, he figured. Whatever, Harry just gotta deal with it.

"I'm pretty sure I didn't. Let's go now, no use wasting time here blaming me when you were waiting for me yourself right? Hermione's probably already wondering where we are right now."

Harry smiled while Ron scoffed, crossed his arms and got up, mimiking Hermione sometimes. 

"Fine."

They had a conversation while walking to the Great Hall. Conversations like what classes they had this year with all the other houses, or which class they would probably hate most this year.

When they arrived, they sat at their usual spot with Hermione and their other friends.

"Took you both long to get here." Hermione scoffed.

"Oi! Dont't blame me! Blame Harry, he's the one who woke up late and made me wait for him." He was not going to take the blame for Harry.

"No I didn't! You were the one who wanted to wait willingly, also making small talk while I was trying to change quickly. Questioning how I bulked up more this Summer and admiring from afar like I didn't know he was staring at my abs." He smirked. So Harry did notice him staring, he looked away with his cheeks flushing from embarrasment. He didn't see that Harry noticed though, he made sure that he already looked away before Ron caught him, so how? Unless..... a voice suddenly cut him of his thoughts.

"Oh? someone caught our ickle Ronniekin staring at them?  Wonder how great Harry's abs really were for him to be staring so intently long that he already noticed." George said. Laughing lightly, interested in why his little brother was staring so long at Harry, he had seen for Harry's abs before himself, and it was..... average. To say, it was literally just average, like any other handsome bloke's abs. Maybe Ron just didn't grow that much over the summer like before and was shocked that someone was having usual growth? Whatever, it didn't matter anyway, it wasn't like Ron was staring because he liked him. Well, if it was because of that, then they could talk about it another time, but he really doubted it.

"Now, now George. Knowing Ronnie, it probably wasn't even that great. These days, anything could get Ronnie staring with his whole soul depended on it." Fred snickered along with George. The brothers they were. Yeah, sure. They might've seen Harry's abs before. But they surely did not see it this morning. It was more defined than anyone he's ever seen before, heck just a little bit less defined than Charlie. But that was expected for anyone, judging by the fact how Charlie literally trained dragons, bloody dragons, from day to night, every, single, day. Not a single sane or normal person with any normal strength could do that. So that cut him as an option out. Now back to Harry's god bloody awesome abs. He could honestly lose his mind and start drooling right now if it weren't for the presense of the other's there.

"You don't know that! Also, aren't the Durmstrang and Beuxbatons student's arriving today?  Oh, I very hope that at least one of the girls do notice me." He made an expression regarded as probably swooning and push both his hands at the place of his heart, as if he wasn't trying to change the topic. Thankfully, the twins were too hung up on something else he didn't know and didn't have enough mind to notice. He let out an internal breath of relief. He swore not to ever, ever stare longingly at Harry ever again. Even if his life depended on it. Somehow, he felt like he was lying, again, but there wouldn't be a scenerio like that anyway, so that didn't matter at all.

"Yeah, reckon probably all of them will notice you when you do something wrong again. When will you finally stop talking about girls are the time?! Evertime it's girls this, girls that! Also, stop eating! There isn't a second when I don't see you eating!" Hermione exclaimed, noticibly annoyed. Ron frowned, she was not making any sense, it was literally breakfast time right now, what else was he supposed to do except eat? Such a lunatic, just because she was smart doesn't mean everything she said Ron would understand. It didn't help to bring girls into this conversation, it wasn't like he was talking about Hermione herself! Or wait, was she..... jealous?

No wait, scratch that, she definitly couldn't be interested with him of all people, Ron of all people. Or actually... now that he thought of all the times Hermione nagged him, argued with him over minor issues. Maybe she was trying to gain his attention? It wasn't like the enemeies to lovers trope wasn't uncommon. He let out a scoff at that thought. Come on Ron, he knew Hermione really couldn't love him, but it was fun to think like that once in every few times.

"What are you scoffing for? I'll have you know I'm being serious right now Ronal Weasley!" She said again.

"Cut me some slack, you lunatic, why should I stop eating just because you said so? It is breakfast time for Godric's sake! What should I do instead of eating! Study? i'm not like you, studying every time and day of the week. Unlike you, I actually have more important things to do except of gaining more information about whatever that I won't use in my future. So excuse you, I'm going to finish eating. "

As far as he remembered, he didn't do anything for Hermione to nag him like his mother as soon as he stepped foot on the table. Geez, she really had to stop having a stick up her ass.

"Aish, just regular lovebirds having a couples fight, you both should stop acting like an old married couple or else you'll actually become one."

He heard Dean join in on the conversation. What did he mean by an old married couple and lovebirds? Surely, he wasn't talking about him and Hermione?! He had ought to get his ears and eyes checked. In which part did he see an old married couples quarrel between both of them? Anything could seriously be better than being described like that with that woman. He saw that he was not the only one who thought that way, in the corner of his eye, he could see that someone nearby, her name, Lavender Black or something, frowned upon hearing that too. He has been noticing small details lately, and lately he caught her staring at him a lot. Did someone finally have a crush on him? He oh very dearly hoped so. Harry replied,

"I know right? When well they finally realize their feelings and date? It's becoming tiring to hear them have playful arguements everyday and being the unnoticibly third wheel." Harry smirked, agreeing. My Godric, not him too. It was enough when one of his friends were saying that, but Harry, his best mate, was saying that too? Some real mates they were. And he didn't recall a time where he or Hermione has left him out of their adventures. It was usually Harry who was the center of attention, so how were they even supposed to leave him out? He decided to just finish eating quietly while listening to any other drama happening around.

When he finished, he stood up, signaling for Hermione and Harry to follow.

They were walking through the corridor, Hermione being in the middle, when Ron remembered that he forgot the class schedule.

"Hey, what's the schedule this year? I forgot again." Harry huffed.

"And you still berated me for not remembering the first class?" Hermione scoffed.

"Only you both would have the brain to forget these kinds of things, remembering the schedule is as important as doing your homework." Her tone a little annoyed, probably still a bit upset by Ron talking back to her so meanly.

"It should be that only you would have the decency to remember these kinds of things the first day of school. Me and Harry don't even need to remember anything because we can just ask you if we forget." He and Harry snickered at that. Hermione rolled her eyes and walked faster.

"That only happens sometimes! And still, even if I do do that. That really does not give you the excuse to forget just anything. You know what, just follow me." Hermione let out a sigh. Ron could have also sworn he heard a dramatic small boys being let out of her mouth. Well, mission to remember the first class failed succesfully. Walking faster than before.

It turned out that the first class, was indeed, potions. Taught by professor Snape. Adding salt to the wound, potions with professor Snape and Slytherins. Great, just what a way of a start to an amazing day! He wanted to ask if Hermione was sure that this was their first class, but of course, it was Hermione after all. How could she be wrong? He let out an outward grown, not caring if anyone heard it. Then he head Harry preparing to ask a question towards him, expecting what it was already, he spoke up before Harry could.

"Yes, I know, I said that our first class wasn't potions, but you surely didn't expect me to be correct right? Being right is more of a Hermione thing. Should me thankful that at least the part where we were late wasn't true." Looking down was an almost sad expression. If that part really was true, then he couldn't imagine how bad of a punishment they would recieve. It sent shivers down his spine just by thinking of it. He could feel Harry's stare pinning him from the back, making him feel guilty.

"Ok now, sorry! Now can you stop looking at me like that? We all know we three don't like him so let's just get it over with." He opened the door without waiting for a response from any of them and sat in furthest seat. Hermione sat in the second row, and Harry, of course, sat next to him. He looked around, determined to avoid eye contact with Harry. He knew it wasn't that big of a deal, that Harry had already forgiven him. But he thought that maybe the thought of Ron feeling sad about something and refusing contact with Harry could make Harry feel at least some kind of guilty conscience too. Since it was because of Harry that he even had to come up with a lie like that.

But knowing his best mate, he obviously didn't fall for the guilt-tripping trick.

"Now, you know full well that I have already forgiven you, so stop trying to look like a kicked sad puppy and get on with it." Harry smiled after saying. Then went back to whatever he was doing

As time went on, more students started filling up the room, that meant more Slytherins too. He decided that he was going to ignore Malfoy for the rest of the class to avoid getting in trouble again, but only if he was making remarks about specifically him. So obviously, he would rush to his friends aid if Malfoy even dared to make a snarky comment about them. Just as he thought that, Malfoy and his little minions started barging into the room, like they owned it and talked as loud as they could with whatever they were talking about before coming here. If they were seriously even coming to class then they should've at least had a heart and stayed quiet.

Snape walked in and the whole class shushed on default.

"Open your books to page 36 and start brewing the potion. If I hear one single noise blurted from any of your mouths before this class is over then the consenqueses will be severe."

He said then proceeded to just sit at the front desk and do nothing except wait for someone to make a mistake and laugh at them. Ron huffed but did as he said anyway. He opened the said book to page 36, he was JUST about to start doing it when he saw that there was something wrong with the book. He couldn't grasp what but he just knew.

"Pss, hey Harry, don't you feel like somethings wrong with the book? " He kept flipping the book, trying to figure out his gut feeling.

"Nah, mate, there's nothing wrong with the book, must be just a ghost or something messing with your mind." 

Suddenly, the pages flipped themselves back to the original page. 

"Mr. Weasley. I see that you did not take my words into consideration. 10 points will be taken from Gryffindor for Mr. Weasley's insolent and lack of responsibility attitude in my class." All kinds of groans could be heard from his housemates, excluding Harry, who just frowned and glared at Snape. Snape noticed and returned the glare with as much hatred. "I am being very generous right now for only taking 10 points, if I hear a single word out of a Gryffindors mouth again. I will not be so nice." Walking back to the front desk with Snape's back turned at him. He gave that finger, then looked around to see if anyone noticed, which, to his satisfaction, nobody did. 

The class turned silent and Ron excused the odd feeling off his chest and began to work as well. The peaceful silence was not well-lasted though. When they were almost finished with the class, Malfoy spoke up with his usual much annoying snarky tone that was only heard when he was about to annoy someone.

"Well, Weasley, getting points minused from your own house this early into the year? Sounds like your really desperate to make your house lose this year. It would finally be about time that brave house of yours loses. We all know the real reason before all the wins were because Dumbledore's blatant favourtism." Saying that like Snape wasn't also having blatant favourtism for them. He was going to argue back when he remembered that he swore to himself he would ignore Malfoy, so he did just that. And kept his eyes locked his own potion which, by the way, still wasn't done.

"Ignoring me now, huh, Weasley. We'll see how long you can last until that bad dog temper of yours bursts again." He snickered. He ignored him again. Waiting for Snape to say something, but, of course, didn't do anything. He said not to talk, so why wouldn't they shut up? Whatever, not wanting to cause more points taken, he bit his lip. Finally, his potion was done. He could say that this time was a success, and he was proud of himself and applauded inward for that and also for not snapping this class. 

"I see you're happy right now, happy that you're still ignoring me right? Or is it that you finally succeeded on making a potion correctly without blowing something up?"

He did his best to dismiss it, fortunatly, the bell signaling the end of class came to his aid. He walked as fast as it seemed like walking out of the classroom so Snape wouldn't suspect him. His two friends following after him. It seemed that since Harry didn't have any more popular incidents lately, Malfoy found it fun to switch his annoying antics to Ron. He shook his head rapidly trying to shape his thoughts out. It wasn't good to have negative thoughts around taking up his mind all the time.

"Hey Ron, you ok? You know how Malfoy's like." Followed by "Just ignore him Ron, you know better than to fall for his wicked schemes." chased him. Yes. He knew not to fall for Malfoys words, that was literally why he had ignored him for the whole class, did they not notice?

"Yeah, I'm ok. Just mad, when does he get the clue to bloody stop. Well, he probably already caught on that he should stop but decided againt it. That foul git. Lets just get ready for our next class. With Ravenclaw." He could sense that both of his friends wanted to pry further, but sensing his feelings right now, it was probably best not to. Breathing a sigh of relief at that, Hermione guided them to the next class too.

The classes went by a blur, most of it were just boring lectures. He was really lucky to just have only one class with Slytherins on Mondays. Thank Godric that at least the rest of his days went well without Malfoy or his flock of wannabes. Just normal classes like Defense against dark arts or Transfiguration with either Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. He really liked Hufflepuff for being so nice, which was like, the whole trait to that. While he never really cared for Ravenclaw, he guessed it was okay too. Only a few of them would try to act superior because they were smart, but other than that, most of them minded their own business.

Finally getting back into his own dorms after an exhausting day of school was something worth getting excited for. He could just imagine his bed laying in his dorm room with the sheets neatly made by him in the morning. But, first, he had to eat dinner. Oh he couldn't imagine the delicious dinner laid right before him waiting to be devoured.He drooled just at the thought of that. He wondered where Harry and Hermione were right now. He felt weird being without them since they were right beside him almost every second of the day and night. They had been seperated when after classes, Hermione decided that the knowledge she gained was not enough and she went to the library to study more. It really amazed him how much of information Hermione could take in one day.

While Harry, went to practice quidditch, deciding that it had been too long since he flew a broom. Ron was originally going to join, but the thought of being in bed and eating dinner won a little bit more. Harry understood since he knew how much classes could be draining. It sucked that he couldn't join him in skipping practice, cause Harry was actually on the team, unlike Ron. So right now, he was just walking through the corridors waiting until dinner time. He really wanted to go to the common room first but figured it would be too crowded, and the silence after most people went back to their houses was just a bit chilling. He would occansianally spot one or two people each corridor doing the same thing as him, or rushing to do something else, he couldn't care less. He was still walking when he heard that voice calling out to him. 

"Oh Weasley." He heard Pansy speak in a sing-song like voice. Laughter coming out of her and her friend's including Malfoys, after. Why were they even here at this time and place? They were supposed to be in their common rooms like everyone else, which they would usually do. Or, perhaps, were they following him to catch him alone. Now that he looked around, he noticed they were the only ones in this particular corridor with him. Hell, he was not going to have any of this targeting on prey kind of thing.

He was not a weak, useless wizard. He was not going to stand being targeted like this.

"What do you want, Parkinson. Of all places, you all are here, alone, with me. If I had known better, I would've thought that you were just walking around like any other normal person. Now spit why you're all here." He recieved a scoff from one of them. Hell were they laughing for, it made Ron feel humiliated. Did he take it the wrong way? Maybe they were actually just walking around. No, they couldn't be, they always return back to their houses immediantly after classes.

"It's not good to be so narccisistic, is it? Why can't we walk through these halls too. After all, you don't own them, do you?" Blase Zabini, the one who scoffed answered back. 

"Of course I don't own them. But doesn't it seem sketchy that your group just happened to stumble upon me just when I walked to this hall?"

"It doesn't to me. It's completely normal for people to meet people from time to time in empty corridors." Ron rolled his eyes. Hell of an excuse that was. Even he could've found a better excuse to mask his intentions with just a second. Goyle was going to back up Blaise, but Malfoy finally spoke, voicing out the reason they were here.

"We're not here to do anything, Weasley. It's just a little reminder." He started walking towards where Ron was standing. Ron didn't back away, he never did. Until he did because Malfoy was standing way to close for his liking. Malfoy, however, did not seem to realize that until Ron was backed up to the wall with just the sides to run away too. So he bolt for it, but Malfoy, being the unhelpful smart git he was, noticed his intetions and blocked both ways with his hands. Malfoy had grown tall too, just a slight bit taller than him, but he could still grow. Ron looked up directly up in his eye, not giving a sign of defeat. By now, his group was far back.

Draco gave his minions a clear veiw of his face by leaning forward to the side next to his right ear, and whispered. "Since you have been ignoring me, I'll have you know that I'll do anything. Anything, for you to give in again. I'll make you listen to my taunts, rude remarks, and insults everyday until you finally give a reaction and a sign of defeat. And if that doesn't work enough, than I'll resort to your saint Potter-head and that mud-blood Granger. Don't forget, I know about your little idol crush on Viktor Krum, wouldn't want me spilling it out to the whole school, would you?" He smirked.

Ron felt his own face starting to get red from anger, how dare he bring his friends into the conversation? Malfoy was in for a little surprise if he thought that he was going to give in easily now. 

"Don't you dare bring Harry and Hermione in this conversation again. Leave them out of this. What's happening between you and me is strictly between you and me. Don't try to play dirty like your mother and father." He smirked at the way Malfoy's smirk dropped when he mentioned his family. Draco was about to reply but he kept going on.

"It's on. I'll survive your little annoying useless fake taunts. You're in for a big surprise if you even thought of me accepting my defeat. Also, I do not like Krum like that, for the second best in clss, I'd figure you were smart enough to know what being a fan means." Then he left, well tried to. But just when he was about to leave, Malfoy put his hands on his shoulders and slammed him hard back into the wall. He winced a bit, and also saw the others reactions. Judging by their expressions,it appeared the plan they had originally made was not going in Malfoy's favor, but there was already nothing they could do about it when it was in action.

Then, Ron heard a growl, seriously? A growl? He almost laughed at that, maybe scowl was the right word to put it.

"Take those words back right now, Weasley. If you thing you can get away with it, you're wrong." Ron smirked, he managed to get a rise out of Malfoy without even trying. And he still thought he could win?

"Or what, Malfoy. You'll run back crying to mommy and daddy again? You're not a child anymore, stop relying on your mom and dad." This time, Malfoy spoke again in a darker tone, being actually angry. Ok, there was seriously something wrong with him. He than pushed his shoulders impossibly harder onto the wall, making it hurt more.

"You're fucking bruising me, you prat. I suggest you let go right now if you don't want me blaming you to Madam Pomfrey when she asks me who caused it." This time, he did actually let go. Thank Merlin. He walked past Malfoy, purposely shoving his shoulder before continueing to walk, also walking through his little minions. He was quite surprised they let him that easily and went to Draco after he was out of sight's range. Serves him right. He saw that it was already dinner time and walked to the Great Hall and sat in his usual seat.

After a while, he saw Malfoy and his friends beside him enter. Behaving normally unlike what Ron saw. He then rolled his eyes and went back to waiting to eat while talking with Harry and Hermione about Hermione's reading session. All of a sudden, a group of delicate, pretty girls walked in. He swore Heaven saw him ascend. They sang a song he didn't understand while dancing, and one of the girls made eye contact with him. He felt the world stop for a second and his heart flutter. He slapped himself without anyone noticing to distract himself from doing too rash taht he would regret. Then they walked over to the tables and sat there. Blue fit their blond hair so perfectly. 

Nex to barge in was the Durmstrang students. The parkour sort of thing they did made him kinda impressed, he couldn't lie. How were they so flexible? Then came in the mighty Viktor Krum. He couldn't believe his eyes right now. He had grown more fit than when he had seen him before. He could practically see his muscles through his clothes right now. Viktor had an intimidating and confident aura surrounding him the moment he walked into the room. There was just something about him that made him look so powerful. His teacher and him walked over to where the rest of the Durmstangs student sat.

Now that all students have arrived and were present, Dumbledore began his usual speech when guests came to Hogwarts. After, they were finally allowed to eat. He was too lost in eating that he couldn't decifer what Harry and Hermione were talking about right now. When he was finished, he excused himself to go to the dorms first cause he honestly couldn't wait any longer for his friends to finish eating. 

Then he was finally on his bed after such an pathetic excuse of a first day. The next second, he was asleep without even realizing it.

No dreams, no nightmares, no waking up in the middle of the night. Just peaceful sleeping.

Chapter Text

Ron walked out of the classroom with a quick pace, slamming the door in the process. 

"Ron, wait! Seriously, just tell us what's wrong. Something happened yesterday between you and Malfoy, we all know, just tell us what happened."

This was the fourth time this day he walked out after class ended like that, and also the fourth time Hermione questioned him. Unfourtunatly, the fact that he didn't have many classes with Slytherins yesterday meant he had more classes with them today. And true to his word, Malfoy really thought out each insult brain by brain to let Ron judge it. Even going as far as to bring Ginny up, well, he couldn't say Malfoy didn't warn him. He tried his best to show no reaction, he almost did today, but he vowed not to ever again. He had to prove that he could keep his temper in check.

"Nothing happened between us, how many times do I have to say it? NOTHING happened." Ron refused to spill, not uttering a single word about what happened yesterday before dinner, afraid that he would get mad just by talking about it.

"You have to say it again and again until you finally convince us, which you can't." Harry replied. Why were his best friends so insistent? Sometimes he wished they weren't like that, then things would be a lot easier. He thought about coming up with a lie instead, but opted to just ignore them. He was going towards the room where the applications for the entries of the Triwizard tournament would be, being there and spectating the future lucky champions whose names would be called at dinner. Why was every great news always announced at dinner anyway?

"Ron, we've been friends since forever, just tell us, it's not like we don't know what you and Malfoy are like to each other." Hermione spoke, voice kinda soft to be exact, like she was pleading Ron to just tell them his problem, a tactic which Hermione used to guilt-trip people into giving, kinda smart if you asked him. But Harry and himelf knew all too well about that. So he just continued walking while ignoring both of them.

"You know what? Fine then, since you're not going to tell me, than I don't think I have any reason to be here anymore." And saying that, she stormed towards the same room they were heading, just arriving much, much faster. There she goes with her random mood swings again probably her girl menstrual thingy or something acting up again, yuck. He was just trying to do something when Errol suddenly flew to him with a letter reminding Ginny to buy more pads last year, and to keep track of her cycle or something, ew. Anyways, since that mom had decide to mess up his and Ginny's names again he had been the laughingstock of his friends, joking that he was a bloody girl. He groaned just at that memory.

"So, mate, are you really just going to keep ignoring me? It's been a few moments since Hermione left, I probably understand why you wouldn't want to tell her, but won't you at least tell me? Come on, Ron, you know you can tell me anything, and I mean anything. Coming from someone who Malfoy was mostly bullying for the past three years, I know how it feels too." Harry said, cutting him out his thoughts.

It wasn't that he didn't want to tell him, it also wasn't that he couldn't tell him. He just didn't want Harry to be mad, which he knew he would if he knew what Malfoy said to him yesterday. And Harry possibly starting a word-to-word arguement that could turn to a fight could land him in detention, and getting in detention would stir up drama again, which, also Hermione wouldn't like. 

He knew he could always trust Harry in everything he did, hell, even going as far as to telling him when he peed his pants. But sometimes things he told him could get Harry in trouble, so he stayed silent instead, well, not completely silent, he did try to say something else.

"Mate, just drop it, I really don't want to talk about it right now. Let's just watch the people entering the tournament today and forget about it. It wouldn't do you any good to get negative thoughts interacting with that smart brain of yours." He laughed lightly at the last sentence he said, which Harry followed shortly. 

"I reckon it wouldn't do any better to not tell me anything and being the cause of those thoughts too." He smiled and rolled his eyes. Harry just wouldn't let it go would it? But that was one of the traits Ron liked about him.

"Well that's too bad then, cause I am not telling you no matter what." 

"Then, I'll brew Veritaserum for you to spill."

"We both know that you don't have the materials to do it, and where would you find the recipe?"

"I don't know, but I'll find it somehow, probably steal from Snape."

"Oh? The wizarding hero who saved the world twice caught stealing from the most frightening teacher at Hogwarts? Cou-" He then paused a second, thinking through what he was going to say.

"I was about to say that I couldn't imagine that, but then I reaIized I could actually imagine that." He laughed at the sight of Harry rolling his eyes. 

"Well, If I was going to do that, I assume you would help me with it, maybe cover me?"

"Why cover you when you have the invisibility cloak?"

The playful banter kept going on until it was put to a stop by Malfoy again. Seriously, did he have nothing to do at all? The mood got ruined all in one second, impressive how a single presence could make the entire room change from happy to annoyed. Malfoy was about to speak up, probably another insult, but Ron was not having any of that anymore today. So guess what he did? Obviously, walk past him pretending he didn't just show up in front of his eyes, of course, Harry was about to retort but then followed him. As they walked, Ron turned his head around.

Malfoy's expession seemed like he was agitated, but trying to keep his attitude together, there must've been nobody beside Harry who dared to do that to him before. He smirked, serves him right, finally getting a small piece of his own medicine. He turned his head back to where it was originally facing, and without looking back, stuck his middle finger to Malfoy, knowing he definitly saw it. He smiled, if Malfoy was going to insult him everyday, then he probably wouldn't mind if Ron did it back too. And if he did? Well, he didn't care much about him to start anyway.

He continued talking with Harry as if they didn't just encounter a beast. They finally arrived at the room, already hearing clapping as one by one seventeen year old students put their names in the Goblet. 

They stayed silent watching as Cedric Diggory, the most popular boy in the Hufflepuff house, get pushed into the circle and put his name in the Goblet. He smiled and waved to him as Cedric went back to his friends. However, his attempts to gain his attention got unnoticed. His smile disappearing quickly.

"Enternal Glory. Brilliant really, three years from now when we're old enough to be chosen." Harry looked at him then spoke,

"Yeah rather you and me." 

They were cut off when cheers and claps suddenly erupted and his older twin siblings came running into the room, now what business did they have for everyone to cheer for them? He and Harry clapped along with everyone else. Fred and George ran up on the bleachers and clapped every hand who reached out.

"Well lads, we did it. Cooked it up just this morning."

Cooked what up? He was confused for a moment before giving up.

"It's not going to work." He heard Hermione say in a sing-song voice with her book in hand. So she was there after all, he thought that she left cause it was too boring for her. How did she manage to read with all the noise? Nevermind that, where did she even get the book from? He should have known that everywhere Hermione went, a book would follow.

He watched as his brothers went on each side of her and said,

"Oh yeah, and why's that Granger?"

She raised her brows and looked toward the circle.

"You see this, this is an age line, Dumbledore drew it himself." Circling the circle while she said that.

"So?" He heard his other brother ask. They really didn't get the memo, did they?

Hermione looked at them with a "seriously?" type of look and then scoffed, figuring they were serious. She closed her book and sat it down on her lap.

"So," She scoffed again. Heavens, why did his best friend have to scoff at every word?

"A genius like Dumbledore couldn't possible be fooled by a potion that's pathetically dim-witted as an aging potion." She explained, but Fred and George still didn't give up.

"That's why it's so brilliant-

-cause it's so pathetically dim-witted." 

He then heard them snicker and stand up again, preparing to jump in the circle. He placed his palm on his hand, his brothers really were a nuisiance sometimes. But he liked the drama they could cause sometimes, it was practically why he wasn't so bored everyday. He got cut off from his thoughts by the two known voices again.

"Ready Fred?"

"Ready George."

They said as they shook the potion in their hands, hook them together and down it all in one go, like they were drinking alcohol. When they finished, they lept down together. If Ron was being honest, he really expected it to backfire and burn them or something, but nothing happened. They all stayed silent for a moment, waiting to make sure it was safe. After that moment, cheers could be heard again. He clapped too. He was surpised to say the least, but not that surprised, he knew that Fred and George knew what they were making most of the time, they weren't that dumb. He just didn't expect them to surpass the magic that Dumbledore did himself.

He watched as they walked up to the Goblet, the room all silent, waiting in anticipation. They finally put their names in, and for a short while they waiting again. Nothing happened, and the room all shouted with cheers and claps again. Then, the magic happened, suddenly, blue flames shot out and struck both Fred and George, sending them flying out of the circle. When he looked at them, what he saw wasn't ginger hair-ed boys laying on the ground, but two elderly men. They groaned and lifted their heads up, staring at each other, and realized what happened. 

They fought with each other and Ron just couldn't resist laughing, not when everyone else was laughing too. He quickly left, pulling Harry along before his brothers could notice him too, he would feel too guilty if his brothers ever caught him laughing at them. He was still laughing when they had already left out of the twins sight. 

"B-blimey! I didn't think that would happen, of all things. I thought they had already beat Dumbledores spell!" Saying as he kept laughing and laughing until he finally stopped, wiping away his tears. For sure, he didn't think the image of them being old would bring that much laughter out of him. They just looked ridiculous. It was funnier than the time when Neville switched Snape to wearing his grandmothers clothes.

"Well, as we seen it, they didn't. I was shocked for a moment too, but then before the fire shot out I've already figured out there was some catch."

Geez, way to rub in his smartness. How could anyone have figured it out in that small moment? But then again, judging by how his brain worked, maybe it was only him who hadn't known. 

"Whatever, who do you think has the most chance to be chosen as the Champions? Viktor Krum is definitly one of them for sure, when his name gets called, I'll make sure to finally get an autograph and tell him I was his biggest fan from day one."

"Sure, you will. Nobody can count the times you chickened out. " Ginny said as she appeared right beside him, Harry snickered at that comment.

"I did not chicken out even once! Get your eyes checked out lady, he just never had time to meet his fans, that's why."

"Oh yeah? Want to explain why I saw him hosting fan meetings that day after the Quidditch World Cup?"

"Well I didn't know, so it's not my fault. It's you're fault you saw that and didn't think to tell me."

"I tried to! You were just daydreaming about him so much you didn't even hear me!"

Ginny scoffed and rolled her eyes, copying Hermione. Was it just him or did all girls always do that when they were angry? He was surprised that her eyes haven't rolled to the back of her head with all the rolling she did everyday.

"Forget it, if you want to do get his autograph, then just do it. You better not let me hear about you chickening out at the last second again, and you better not make up some other excuse, cause I will know."

Saying that, she left, walking to wherever. He let out a yawn, but he wasn't that tired yet. It was already a little dark but there was still light, so he assumed it would be dinner in about an hour. Maybe he could use that time to hone his chess skills better, don't get him wrong. Wizards chess was one of the hobbies he was best at, but saying that didn't mean he was the best. Beating Mc. Gonagalls chess that she designed herself gave Ron a boost in his confidence. So he decided that, if he wasn't book smart, at least he could be chess-smart. It was quite helpful too.

"Say, Harry, want to play another round of chess until dinner? It would take great pleasure for me to see the defeating look on your face again."

"Yeah, yeah. This time, I'll beat you. Take my word for it."

Then they arrived to the Great Hall, chessboard in hand. They went to the usual spot where they ate dinner, funny how it cleared and became unofficially theirs and Hermione's when people started noticing they sat there almost everytime when nobody sat there. Opening the chessboard, Ron took white, leaving Harry black with no choice. It was serious mode starting from right now, he might not seem like it, but there were times where he could look serious too. He didn't mess with chess, and he wouldn't purposely lose to a toddler just because they were crying too. Chess was one of the only things he was good at, and he was not going to let anyone else take it away.

They played on and on for a while, over time, more student's started to fill in. Some from other houses, some not. Ron was too deep strateging to notice any of that anyway. Harry didn't seem to be taking the upperhand like he said he would though, he face filled a bit with fustration. And with the final move,

"Checkmate. Told you you couldn't win Harry." Ron said as he smirked at Harry, filled with happiness of his own victory.

"Oh shut up, it was only because you had the first move, if I hadn't let you, I could've won." Harry rolled his eyes.

He ignored him and looked around, it was probably already dinner. Sensing the time has come, he stood up and moved to sit beside Neville and Hermione while Harry sat at the table with the other people.

"Sit down please. Now's the moment you've all been waiting for, the champion selection."

He waved his hands slowly through the room, putting out the lights, making the room dim. Nonverbal wandless spells, so cool. The whole room watched as Dumbledore slowly approached the Goblet, placing his hands on the cup, then stepping away. All of a sudden, the burning blue flames turned pink then blue again, and a small piece of parchment paper shot out into the air. Falling down slowly into Dumbledores hands. Everyone watched in anticipation as his mouth began to move and words began sprouting out.

"The Durmstang Champion is.. Viktor Krum." Krums friends all congratulated him, some patting on his back, some clapping, and some pushing him forward. He watched as his idol stood up and shook Dumbledores hand. Walking to the front after. He nudged Harry with his feet, giving him an "I told you so look". Harry just looked at him and turned back.

Then the Goblet repeated the same thing, shooting a piece of paper shaped into a circle into Dumbledores hand. The Beauxbatons champion.

"The champion of Beauxbatons is.. Fleur Delacour." 

Cheers could be heard from the their side. He saw the said girl smile brightly at her friends before walking to Dumbledore and also shaking, Dumbledore directing her where to stand. He further realized that she was the girl she made eye contact with. Finally, it was the time for the Hogwarts champion to be announced, took them long enough. 

"The Hogwarts champion, Cedric Diggory." The people seated at the Hufflepuff table clapped, a lot of other people from other houses clapped for him too, just like the last two groups. He couldn't say he was surprised, but he couldn't say he wasn't surprised too. It was more like a half-half. Earlier, he didn't really see anyone who looked like they could take on more than Cedric too. Even though he didn't know him well, he could already see that he would be able to get through all the tasks. 

"Excellent! We now have our three champions! But in the end, only one will go down in history. Only one will hoist this Chalice of Champtions, this vessel of victory, the Triwizard Cup!"

Saying that, he lifted the silk covering the cup that was placed in the center of the room by some guy earlier. Holy Merlin, it was beautiful, shining and twinkling in the dimly lit room. If he ever got his hands on it, he wouldn't sell it even for a thousand galleons. The three dragons roaring into the center of the cup, two acting as handles and the other between the two. It was just magnificent to say the least. The detail carved into the steel, metal or whatever it was, could be seen by someone who had bad eyesight. You could tell the quality was excruciating high just by looking at it with bare eyes. At that moment, he wanted to just take it for himself without even winning the tournament.

But something felt strange, he saw Snape get suspicious of something and walk towards the Goblet of fire, soon, everyone turned to face it too. Dumbledore sensed something wrong and slowly walked back. The Goblet turned... pink? Again? How? If he remembered correctly, there were only three champions each tournament, it was impossible to have a fourth one. He watched the professors face all change from smiling to serious and suspicious in one second. Dumbledore used both hands to cover his eyes from the bright fire then let it down again. Then, the impossible happened, it actually shot out a fourth piece of paper. He looked forward to hearing the name, even though he knew he shouldn't, it wasn't everyday there was a fourth person.

A distinct small, and confused voice could be heard from Dumbledore as he announced the name.

"Harry Potter."

What.

Dumbledore kept repeating the name again and again while searching for his best mate. Not long after, all eyes were on Harry.

"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore exclaimed.

Hermione nudged and pushed Harry to walk to the front. In this moment, all he could feel was hurt, betrayal, backstabbed. How could Harry do this to him? Didn't he tell Ron that he would be a better champion? Then why did Harry go behind his back and put his name in the Goblet. Nevermind that, how did the Goblet even spit out his name? Did Harry do some sort of dark sorcery to make it happen? He watched his best mate, or potentionally ex-best mate walk slowly to the headmister to claim his name, and walk forward to where the other three real champions stood.

He heard comments like "He's a cheat!" and "You aren't seventeen yet." as Harry kept walking, and all he could do was agree with them. He didn't watch any of what happened anymore, his head hurting and thinking of all the reasons on why his ex-best mate could do that to him. Maybe he wanted more fame than he already had? Well at least, this time, he wouldn't be exposed to the dangers Harry had.

After what happened in the Great Hall, he saw the four of them leave to whatever place they would meet and greet each other. He couldn't let Harry go just like that, he had to figure out what was going on his mind when he put his name in the fire. He sped quickly to chase after them before they could leave his sight, he pulled Harrys hand, and when he saw his best mates face, it was not like he expected.

He looked kind of panicked, nervous, and a mix of scared and disappointment. But the way his eyes lit up when he saw Ron pull him back made him feel guilty for even thinking like he did it on purpose. He decided to ask right now, because if he didn't, he wouldn't have the nerves to. Harry looked at the other three before they nodded and kept walking to where they were originally heading. He took a breath, and splurt out.

"Harry, why did you put your name in the Goblet of fire?"

And his smile turned upside down just by hearing that. His eyes turned cold.

"Ron, I didn't. I don't know who did, but I'm sure I didn't."

What use would it be to deny that when the proof was right there? They all saw it happen, they all saw as the fire spit out Harry's name. And he had the nerve to keep lying in front of his face? He wouldv'e thought that after all those years they spent together, Harry would've at least told him the truth, but he guessed that the other just did not think the same.

"What do you mean you didn't? Harry, why did you just do it without telling me? Why couldn't you at least let me see how you did it too? Why are you still lying to me when I saw it with my own eyes too? I've been your best mate for years, and you didn't even think to tell me of such a big thing?"

"I'm telling you I didn't! Why aren't you believing me? You know I want a normal year as much as you do, so why would I spend my time on doing something like this? I was with you the whole day, when did you ever see me leave your side today? Tell me, Ron! Tell me!"

He paused for a little while there, contemplating what Harry just said, it did make some sense. But if he really didn't, why would the fire just randomly pop out his name? He decided to just go with what he believed.

"I don't know! Maybe you sneaked off to do that while making a clone take your place! You know clone spells aren't very uncommon."

"Ron, do you know what you're saying right now? You're really not making any sense. Think about it, Ron! I've had three adventerous years that could've gotten me killed, why would I want a fourth one! You were there with me sharing those experiences too!"

He didn't want to admit it, but somewhere in his body, he felt like Harry was right about that too. But the feeling in his chest was unbearable to ignore, so he still did what he wanted to do. Seeing that he would get no answers from him today, he decided to just give up and keep trying another day.

"You know what? Maybe we should just part ways first. We both know you're stubborn when it comes to admitting things. But, I hope that within this week, you'll finally confess about your wrongdoings." 

He turned around and started walking away when Harry was about to retort again. He seriously couldn't handle it anymore, he just wanted to get to his bed and sleep it all off. He felt himself shed a tear or two and only a tear or two while walking to his dorm. Questions filled him once he got back, but he couldn't bring it to himself to answer, so he just told them all to ask tomorrow.

Ron laid still on his bed, closed his eyes, he remembered he still hasn't showered, that could be rearranged tomorrow. What he wanted to do was just sleep, sleep, and sleep. He knew that Harry must've felt hurt too, but who cares about him? He was the one who had gotten betrayed, so Harry had no right. He slid the blankets over his head, blocking any trace of light.

He then slowly, but surely, fell asleep. Getting nightmares throughout the night, and almost caught Harry quietly going to his bed and sleeping too.

This Sunday, he would be waiting till then, and if Harry didn't come to him, then their friendship was over.

Chapter Text

Ron glared at Harry from the back of the room. Harry turned back and made eye contact with Ron, sensing him staring daggers at him. Ron looked back down at his textbook, which was at the wrong page. It was the first class today, Harry still hasn't came to him to confess his lie. It was the first class of today, add the most boring one, muggle studies. Now don't get him wrong, he didn't hate muggle studies, he just didn't like it, as in like finding it a boring subject, nothing really against muggles or muggle-borns like Hermione.

Even though he woke up only a few hours ago, anything could get him to fall back asleep immediately. He stuck his hand to hold his head upward, just so he wouldn't really fall asleep, that would ruin his chances of getting better grades, which was kinda one of his goals this year. As the professor went on and on about something, Ron found himself daydreaming again, or, conversing with the voices in his head, those were so much more interesting, bonus point that Carrow wouldn't notice him and deduct points from Gryffindor. 

He swore not to, but he did anyway, when did he ever do what he swore to do? That was the only thing occupying his mind right now, the most important one too, how did Harry get his own name to enter the Goblet? A part of him wanted to believe what his ex-best mate said to him yesterday, but a bigger part wanted to figure out the real truth. He thought that by the time he woke up, he wouldn't be as mad anymore, his mood disagreed. Some could say he was being sensitive, he thought that for a bit too, but decided he was in the right, he had the right to feel all the feelings right now. Harry's diehard fans ( which he didn't think Harry had anymore ) could shove their fat defenses up their own ass.

Screw it, let him just think Harry casted a dark sorcery spell from whatever book he found, and succeeded. 

No, that's not right, Harry would never do an illegal spell. Oh, shut it! Harry's in the wrong, not right! So shut up, thoughts! 

His best mate will never try to betray him. Yes, he would! He proved he would the moment he thought about putting his name in the cup!

Harry doesn't want to participate in the tournament, he thinks it's too dangerous. Yes Harry does want to participate. He knew of the risks, it doesn't matter if he did it jokingly, he still did it.

Now, Harry could get hurt for all he cared. Scratched, bleeding, suffering, for all he cared. He cringed just at his imagination from that, okay, maybe he would care a bit, but only a bit. He doodled some ducks and lightning on his textbook, surprisingly, it didn't turn out half-bad. Nevermind just being bored, he was going to fall asleep, in 3...... 2.. 1......

"Mr. Weasley!"

He jolt up from Carrow's outraged voice. "Yes?!"

Seeing the surroundings around him and hearing laughter, he sighed and kept his head down, obviously not before glaring at Harry, who was staring at him.

"Would you care to explain why I just caught you slacking off in my class? You may not think Muggle Studies is an important subject, but I expect you to at least care enough to actually pay attention!"  Carrow exclaimed.

"Sorry, professor. Something came up last night and I didn't seem to get much sleep." He said, looking downward sideways while scratching the back of his head with his arm.

"If it was important to the point that you thought it neccesary to sleep in my class then I don't see anything wrong with taking away some points. 15 points from Gryffindor for Mr. Weasleys lack of responsibility."

A series of groans and noises of disappointment rang out, but there was nothing they could do about it. Carrow was probably the second most hated professor in Hogwarts next to Snape, judging by how he taught and acted, Ron couldn't say he was surprised. He heard a rumor that Carrow had purposly casted an unforgivable curse to a student his age because they messed up some instructions. He didn't really believe that, besides, wouldn't he already by in Azakaban if he really did do that?

Ron tried to stay awake for the duration of the class, but it seemed really impossible. It was like Merlin was trying to make his house lose by making Ron fall asleep again. 

Finally, he heard the bell singaling the end of his class, he wasted no time in hurrying out the classroom to escape Hermiones scolding for sleeping in class. She was really scary in times like that, no kidding. She could go on and on without stopping to remind Ron of the basics of normal student behavior.

"Ron, why are you in such a quick hurry to leave from me? I'm not a monster trying to eat you, you know."

"No I don't know. You're probably going to nag me again, aren't you?" Sighing in defeat as Hermione already caught up.

"Not really. What happened between you and Harry last night? It's unlike both of you to be avoiding each other. Look, if this is about what happened yesterday, talk it out. I'm sure that Harry wouldn't really do that."

"Yes, he would. If he wouldn't-"

A familiar voice cut him off from talking.

"Hey, Ron. Could I- Uh- Could I speak with you for a second?"

About time his ex-best mate came. Harry was finally about to admit he lied right? He smiled inwardly in satisfaction. Ron gave a look at Hermione then she sighed and walked away.

"So, Harry. Are you going to tell me now? Or are you just here to stir up drama again?" He said in a cool, kinda angry-like voice.

"Look, Ron. We didn't really have enough time to talk yesterday. I just want to explain the truth wholely so there won't be misunderstandings. Yesterday, I don't know what happened too. I though that all the champions were called, I didn't expect my own name to get flung out. I swear, I didn't put my name into the fire. I think someone else did it, and I think you know that too."

He frowned, so Harry wasn't going to back down easily, as expected.

"No, Harry. As a matter of fact, I don't. Nobody in Hogwarts would be as stupid and dumb to enter somebody elses name inside the Goblet. Not to mention, somebody powerful enough to surpass Dumbledore's." 

"You're getting the wrong point. No student would be able to do it, but a teacher would."

Was it just him or did Harry not make any sense to him. Why would a bloody teacher risk someones life, especially when that someone was Harry Potter? Even if Harry did have enemies, he was almost a hundred percent sure nobody would be that brave to do it.

"Now what teacher would do that? Even Snape wouldn't dare, it just sounds like you're making random excuses to cover your own mistakes now. Stop wasting your time trying to convince me, I don't want to hear any false information. If you want to continue being mates with me, then I recommand you just apologize and I'll reconsider. I don't want to waste my time talking to you too if all you're going to do is spread lies. I'm already mad to the point-"

"You're mad? You're mad, Ron? Hell, I'm furious! Rather than just giving up our years of friendship, I decided to try to mend it and clear up everything! But, guess what? You, a selfish prat, of course didn't want to spare me even one second to hear it all! If you just stopped to rethink all of this, think how different things could've! I should-"

"Don't cut me off when I'm talking, Harry. You're furious? I'm enraged! Think of yourself in my shoes! Wouldn't you react absolutely same? I'm not the one selfish, you can't blame me for thinking like this! Tell me, Harry, how would you feel if suddenly, your best friend of 4 years decided to stab you in the back and leave you in the dark? I'm not trying to argue with you, I'm done Harry. I think you made it clear enough that you have no intention of confessing anything. Besides, don't you need to use your time to do other things? Like preparing for your first task. Now, excuse you, I'm leaving after you so rudely came up with the idea of interrupting my conversation with Hermione."

He took a step quickly, then another step, walking too fast to anyone's liking to get away from Harry. Leaving Harry to rethink his decisions. 

He arrived at his next class earlier than expected, set a record of 1 minute and thirty seconds earlier. And as he thought, Hermione was already there. Ron opted to sit at his usual seat, but decided against it and sat next to her other best friend. He waited patiently for her to stop ignoring him since he knew how Hermione could get during times like these. He blinked innocently as she slowly turned around and glared at him.

"Sorry, are you still mad at me?"

"What does it look like?" She looked away again and placed her head on her palm.

"So did you both talk it out? Please tell me you did. I really can't keep fixing the drama happening between both of you."

"Well, you could say we made it.. worse? Ok, it's not my fault! You aren't seriously taking his side now are you?" Hermione seemed like she was done but there was no choice so she continued talking.

"I swear! You boys need to sort your feelings out! Everytime something happens, it's all because you can't put your feelings aside and communicate like proper teenagers!"

Now he was getting scolded by Hermione again, when the problem wasn't even because of him, curse Harry. 

Luckily, he was saved my Mad-Eye Moody coming into the classroom. Only Merlin knew what kind of person he could become when he caught someone lacking in his class, one of the main reasons Hermione sent a dirty look across before turning silent. 

"Now listen folks, today we're going to learn about Unforgiveable curses." 

Geez, what is up with professors and curses this year, whey are they suddenly so obsessed with it? He then shuddered at the sight of a spider being brought out of a jar, what has a spider got to do with this?! Ron then watched as Moody controlled the spider with the Imperius curse, tortured it with the Cruciatus curse, and finally killed it with the killing curse. Even though Ron despised spiders, he couldn't say he wasn't disturbed by the disgusting display of unforgivable curses. What really made him terrified of Mad-Eye was when he used his wand to make the spider crawl on his head, he could've sworn he saw light in his eyes that second. Luckily Neville intervened, which made Mad-Eye turn his target to him, poor bloke. It was no surprise Neville was disturbed too, but what could a student do against a professor?

He tried to get the tingling sensation off his chest which were the remnents of the spider on his head for the rest of the class. His whole mood had probably been ruined for the day, curse that professor. Dumbledore was trying to start a contest of who could be the worst professor, wasn't he? He left normally with Hermione out unlike last time. When she asked what happened he finally answered.

"It went sorta like this. "

"Harry tried to apologize, he said he was wrong. I tried to forgive him, but then he took it back and laughed at me for believing him and left."

Hermione smacked him in the head with the book she was holding. 

"You know that's not what happened, Ronald! Tell the truth or I'll seriously go to Harry instead."

Ouch, he should've came up with a better lie. It was worth a try anyway.

"Ok, fine, fine.... Basically to summary what happened. He tried to blame the teachers for putting his name in the Goblet and kept saying he wasn't the one. I was saying something and he cut me off, so disrespectful. Back to the point, he suddenly shouted and I just didn't wanna hear any of it anymore so I told him not to waste my time, then I left. So, that's what happened in short."

Hermione seemed to be in her thinking mode after that and stayed silent for a moment while they walked. He didn't exactly say everything, but it was enough. She didn't need to hear all the details. A reply was finally heard.

"I believe him."

"What?! Hermione, you can't believe him, you of all people should know that he's lying too!"

One was bad, two was worse. How did she come to that conclusion? Great, now two of his friends were against him, one not typically against him, but still the same.

"If you think about it more, you would believe him too. I'm going to rephrase Harry's words. He's been put in a lot of deathly situations throughout the years, why would he add more? Also, he respects Dumbledore, so he wouldn't want to decieve him too. I know he isn't very smart but he has at least enough common sense to follow orders made by Dumbledore himself."

"You know what? This conversation isn't gonna go anywhere, I have to go to the bathroom. Go to the library or wherever you want to go."

He sighed as walked towards where the bathroom was, he had been here for four years but he still got lost somehow sometimes. He didn't expect Hermione to agree with him, but he also didn't expect Hermione to believe Harry too. Seriously, what was she thinking? Feeling a migraine starting in his head, he rubbed it the side of it slowly in circle. What was the first task anyway? He hoped it wasn't anything too dangerous, even if he hated Harry right now, that didn't mean he wanted him to die.

Ah- there was the bathroom, he was going to head inside before he saw Malfoy come out of the entrance, which was also the exit. Malfoy saw him and blocked the entrance right away while smiling. Now what was he doing here? If he remembered correctly, then his class before was supposed to be in another building. Nevermind that, he already had his head hurting, another adding to it wouldn't help.

"What are you doing here Malfoy? Don't tell me you're trying to start another fight again? I really do not want to deal with you right now."

"So over-confident of you to think I want to deal with you. Anyways, I heard you and Potter had a bit of a.. eh- falling out, I heard? It was about time you both got tired of each other, don't ya think?"

Ron glared at the taller silently, cursing under his breath. He side-stepped and walked inside instead of replying what he thought of. Get your attitude under control right now.. That didn't prove to relieve anything when he felt a small urge in his bladder. For Merlin's sake, he quickly got to one of the urinals and quickly unzipped his pants. The sound of that now filled the room and he took a peek when he felt Malfoy was being a bit quiet, maybe he left?

"Bloody Hell! What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

Malfoy was a total creep. He had had his suspicions before, but there was no evidence to prove them right. But now? He could totally 100% sure say that Malfoy is a disgusting creep. What logic did he find in his head to look at Ron while he was peeing? 

"What? Is there something wrong? I'm not doing anything. You should go check on those eyes of yours before making any assumptions based on your own hallucinations."

"Now you know damn well what you were doing. Why are you still not leaving? You finished your business in the bathroom already. So leave, there's no room for you to do other things in here. "

Ron wanted to hex him right now, he really did. What was keeping him from doing so, were the rules in magic. Curse them. Curse them so much.

"I suppose you caught me, however, don't get the wrong idea. I was only simply.. bored, nothing else. It would be really entertaining if you thought wrong and started to confess to me. Though I have to say, isn't your dick... too small? Even a toddler would be bigger than that." Malfoy said while laughing.

Now how dare he. Insulting one's private parts was just wrong, and offensive, really offensive might he add. Besides his was the normal, average size.

"You don't get to say nothing until I see yours, which, for your information, I am not interested in. So keep your eyes to yourself, damn prat. Leave before I soil you with Moaning Myrtles pee, and believe me when I say I will do that."

He wouldn't but the sight of Malfoy seemingly disgusted at the imagination was too great to miss, he scrammed before he could say another word. Great.

He waited a minute or two before leaving, just to make sure that Malfoy wasn't still ligering around, he smiled in victory when silence met his ears. 

"When's the first task?" Ron asked the group while munching on his lunch.

"Probably next Monday if there aren't any casualties...." Ginny replied as she sat down beside him.

"No, it's next Wednesday. I'm going to help Harry with the preparations for the time-being. Wouldn't want him to be.. y'know too stressed. He's already got enough on his plate." Hermione answered.

Ron snorted. "Whose fault is that?"

"Stop being so childish! He's pratically all by himself right now, can't you see he even skipped lunch because everybody would just glare at him?" Hermione berated, frowning as she said so. "Ron, honestly, use your brain for once."

Whatever, once his best friend set her mind on something, there wasn't anything that was gonna change it.

He continued eating when their letters suddenly came in. Due to a disruption, the letters which were supposed to be delivered in the morning had been set to now. He noticed Errol flying with a small piece of letter to him and dropped it on his plate. Ew. Well, that's a big unusual, mom's letters were normally used with a orange stamp, but this one had a brown one. He opened it carefully as to not rip the paper in case it was an expensive quality, not saying it wasn't ruined already when it was dropped onto his plate, but better safe than sorry.

---

Dear Ron,

It's me, Charlie. Sorry you haven't heard from me in a long time, I was a bit busy taking care of the newborn dragons. I had sought out to you for a very important reason, and what I'm going to tell you in the later parts of this letter is important, so please put it to use because it might be of help to your friend, Harry. I heard that he's got himself into quite some trouble again, although I know what your personalitie's like, I will still try to convince you that he did not put his name in the Goblet. I know what you're thinking, "He did, you weren't at the scene of the crime." Ron give it some thought and consider my words. Now, as per mentioned, it is your own choice whether you want to tell anyone, but I just thought it would do no harm telling you.

The first task is dragons, yes, dragons. Big, full-grown, adult ones. Vicious and fiery. I don't know if your Care for Magical beasts or something professor has already recieved the notice of dragons arrived, if he hasn't yet, he will eventually. Anyways, as I said, vicious and fiery. You won't be participating in the challenge, so I'm not too worried about you. Even if you and Harry are avoiding each other right now, it would still be appreciated if you tell him. I am not pressuring you, I am just warning you, that if he isn't careful or strong enough, there's a chance he can die, yes, actually die, by the burning flames of the dragons.

So if you don't want him to be unalived, then I highly suggest you tell him, but, once again,I do not insist. I'm just merely worried. Between, this knowledge is strictly forbidden to tell anyone, so please refrain Harry from spilling the information when you tell him.

By the way, how is your fourth year going? It must be a bit of a rough start for you to get used to some new difficult subject, but I hope you don't take to long to get used to it. After all, that is just the beginning. How is Ginny doing? I was going to write one to her too, but I figured she and I aren't too close as I am with you. Hope this year will be great. Keep me updated if you notice I'm not writing as often.

Love,

Charlie Weasley. 

---

Oh no.

Bloody Hell.

Oh shit.

Dragons, of all dangerous tasks the ministry could choose from, fucking dragons. 

"What's wrong? Your face looks all pale right now." Neville asked, concerned.

"Nothing, I just need to get something. Luckily, they only had a one class in the afternoon, so he excused himself first. Hermione, followed, already knowing something was wrong. Ginny contemplated for a moment but decided that it was not more important than her lunch.

He walked out quickly and kept thinking of all the different possibilities that could happen while Harry was fighting the dragons. He was so out of it he didn't notice he bumped into something solid. The impact wasn't really that strong so he only stepped back a bit.

"Sorry." He muttered, before walked forward, when a voice spoke out. So it just had to be him, had Merlin no mercy to spare?

"Sorry? Is that all you got. What are you going to do when I find out my clothes stink of your forehead sweat from when you bumped your head into me? Pay attention to your surroundings, isn't that what they always say? You ought to pay more attention to the latest quotes instead of being stuck in that useless head of yours every second, reckon it would do you more good than none."

Huffing he turned around and walked toward Malfoy. And when he stood close enough, he pushed him back with his finger pointing at him.

"Well, too bad I'm not some person who has to know the latest gossip to think of more insults that are seriously useless. Unlike you, when I'm stuck in my head, it means I'm thinking about something important, but you? Everything that comes up to your mind is, "How to insult Harry Potter.", "How to insult Ron Weasley.", "How to insult Hermione Granger.", "How to make more use of myself.". Don't you agree? Do you ever get tired of it? I suppose not by the way you can throw every unoriginal insult to anyone who looks your way. Now excuse you, I am going to go back to minding my own business, unlike someone. You should've just accept the apology while I was still being nice."

Scoffing, he walked away while Malfoy was still in shock and anger processing the words thrown at him.

"Hey wait, what was in the letter? I'm sure it wasn't anything nice. Are you alright?" Hermione caught up to him and spoke while panting.

"No, it's-... Charlie. Y'know? My brother who tames dragons." She nodded as a sign to continue.

"Ok you better not tell anyone this, cause he told me to that it was illegal for people to know this information, but I trust you wouldn't spill to anyone too." He took a deep breath.

"The first task is dragons."

Hermione's eyes widened. 

"Dragons? Are you kidding me?"

"I wish." He mumbled. 

"We have to tell Harry, where is he?" She was already walking around, trying to think where he could be at this hour. But Ron was not going to tell Harry that easily.

"Wait, no."

"What do you mean no?! Harry's still your best friend, no matter what! Just because you guys had a small, serious fight, that doesn't change everything between you both." She said.

"It's not that, but it'll be highly suspicious if I just suddenly know what the first task is. And I'm not saying I don't want to help Harry, I want to, but at the same time, I don't. Besides, if dragons really were that dangerous, why do you think they would just randomly assign them? Besides, the teachers won't actually let somone, much less a student, die right?"

But what Hermione answered with filled him with dread.

"Ron, I'm not joking. A student has actually died one time, it was just a long time ago, but still the same. This could potentionally kill Harry. Just because he survived a lot of times, it doesn't mine he's invincible, it was merely just luck on a lot of times."

"Well, how do we tell him? I'm not going to directly tell him, that'd be too weird and out of the blue, just so you know. You're the one who wanted to tell him, so you have to do the work."

Hermione almost hit him with her hand.

"Oh don't act like you don't want to tell him too. You know full well you're as worried for him like I am. Let's go to the common room first, it should be empty right now."

So they walked silently to their usual spot by the fireplace, Ron checked if there were still any people lingering around, but found no one, just about right.

Hermione started talking about all the ways they could notify Harry without giving their identity, but then Ron said it should be okay for Hermione to tell him, as long as Ron wasn't involved. Which made her angry, when it shouldn't have. Merlin, did he forget to mention when Hermione started talking, she would not stop for a long time? Some moments, he could find it calming, but other times, it would cause Ron some headaches and overwelm him with all the strategies and outcomes. This time was the latter. 

"Hey! Are you even listening to me? This is not the time to be zoning out or dozing around! This matter concerns your friend, Ron! Not just any friend, your best friend! Get a grip if you don't want him to die."

Hey! What did she mean by zoning out? He was thinking of multiple other ways too. After all, he was quite a good strategist if he had to say. All those chess skills weren't for nothing.

"I'm not zoning out, I'm thinking about my own ways too. Sometimes, your ways are just a bit too.... confusing and difficult. Oh wait, Charlie said Hagrid would probably know too! I just got a good idea."

He stayed silent for a moment, rethinking if it would work, before feeling a stern gaze from Hermione.

"What?" He didn't recall anything that gave an excuse for her to use that particular look on him.

"If you have an idea then say it! Don't just expect me to know what's on your mind." 

Oh so that's what it was for. Well, she could've just told him to say it out loud, looking wouldn't change anything.

"Ok, so first, you-........."

After he was finally done with his explanation, he waited to recieve an answer, and the look on Hermione's face right now meant she was deep in thought. To be honest, the plan he made was kinda confusing too, but he figured it would be better than doing an 100 step plan.

"Fine, but under one condition. You have to come with me."

"Why?!" He believed she heard it correctly the first time that he wouldn't be the one to tell Harry?

"Calm down! I'm just telling you to come with me, you don't even have to say anything. You don't expect me to just do all the work alone, do you? You can also bring Neville or Ginny with us if that makes you more... "comfortable"."

She definitly said comfortable to mock him.

"Fine, I'm going to go sleep now. And before you remind me, yes, I know there's still an afternoon class, I'll wake up before it starts. So don't worry."

Off he went to his bedroom, he was a bit surprised to see Harry there. Oh well he was sleeping, so it didn't matter. He closed his eyes, and rethought about the plan. Would it really work? He could only bet it would. Ugh.. so tired... To think their schedule this year was so full.

He opened his eyes again, then turned to the side to sleep more comfortably. Curse him so much this year, just what did his ancestors do to make Ron suffer this much. When he dies, he'll definitly hunt them down one by one and question them.

Chapter Text

It was Saturday today, finally. The first weekend of the school year.

Ron had the whole day to himself, no classes, and only a little bit homework. It was so refreshing considering all the drama that happened the last few days, then he remembered, he still had to tell Harry the news. Ugh, why did Charlie have to write it to him? Just couldn't keep his information to himself, but he guessed at least he got to warn Harry beforehand, y'know, just in case he get's burned to ashes. 

He quickly got ready and headed to the common room to catch up with Hermione and Ginny, since Neville couldn't accompany him.

"Are you both ready?"

"Yeah, I'm dreading the moment when I have to help you deliver the news using the idea of yours. Why can't you find somebody else to do it?"

"Because, Hermione, you're our mutual best friend, that's why." He said while making some kind of motion with his hands.

Hermione rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Ah- her signature move.

"Let's get going, it'd do no good wasting time here." Ginny moved her head towards the exit and looked back, signaling them to go. Ron felt guilty for almost forgetting her.

They headed to the lake, where Neville and Harry were at, he knew since Neville told him Harry already asked him to meet up before Ron suggested him to go with him.

He walked through the woods with his sister and bestfriend, enjoying how the sunlight shone on the fallen leaves, then a strong breeze blew and another patch of leaves fell from the trees again. Most of it were still green, but it was nearing the beginning of Winter, or Fall, but it was already starting to turn cold. He got reminded of how his mother used to tell all the tales while eating dinner about how him, Ginny, Fred, and George used to play in the fields beside their house and their mother called them in to wear some long-sleeved shirts.

He smiled lightly while looking down on the ground, a comfortable silence ensued until Hermione spoke up.

"Are you sure your plan's going to work?"

Ron could've sworn that was the hundred'th time he heard Hemione ask that. Typical Her, always having to make sure everything's right.

"How many times do I have to tell you? It's going to work!"

"I can't help but doubt it a little, what if Harry asks Seamus or Dean about it and they don't answer?! Harry's gonna know we were lying and he won't trust us anymore!"

"Look, no matter what, we're both still his bestfriends, well, if maybe I still am. He won't go looking for them, he'll probably go straight to Hagrid once he hears that Hagrid's looking for him. Plus, it's not like we're entirely lying too, Hagrid asked us to look for Harry too, no doubt about it being about the dragons, considering he's that fascinated by magical beasts, I see no problem with them entrusting Hagrid with the news."

He tried to soothe her by putting his hands on her shoulder but that only made her walk faster.

"Look, I think we should try another way. This is going to be too confusing. He'll probably ask me to repeat what I said again!"

"No he won't, he isn't that dumb!"

"Well, easy for you to say! You're only going to be watching. There's too many names in one sentence."

"There's only two or three if I remember correctly."

"Excactly! You can't even remember yourself, how do you expect Harry to get it too?"

Hermione let out a sigh.

"Look if you're gonna add so many people then why don't you just do it youself?!" She said in an exasperated tone, then proceeded to add.

"Ron this is your problem, not mine!"

As if on cue, they arrived and noticed Neville waving at them, it seems Harry had also noticed judging by the way he turn back in the direction Neville was waving to, which was their direction.

Hermione turned back to him.

"What did you want me to say again?" She said in a hushed voice, Ron replied back in the same tone while looking directly at Harry.

"Just add some names and tell him Hagrid is looking for him." He nudged her forward with his shoulder as a signal to start.

Hermione walked towards Harry and stopped when there was about a 4-step distance between them. She took a deep breath.

"Ronald would like me to tell you...that Seamus told him...that Dean was told by Parvati that....Hagrid's looking for you."

Harry responded immediately.

"Is that right? Well...what?" A confused expression hanging on Harry's face as he asked.

A silence followed. Darn Harry for making everything more complicated than it needed to be! Hermione walked back to where Ron and Ginny were currently standing. They shared another hushed conversation right in front of Harry, acting like he was blind or something. Hermione walked back and started.

"Dean was..told by Parvati that.... Please don't ask me to say it again. Hagrid's looking for you." 

After delivering the news, she opted to quickly hurry back but the luxury of it was stopped by Harry. 

"Well, you can tell Ronald-"

"I'm not an owl!"

Damn, well Hermione snapped. Way to go. She continued walking away and grabbed Ginny along, leaving Ron behind. He sent a glance to Harry before walking away too.

The walk back was silent, Ron didn't try to start a conversation, knowing that Hermione was mad partly, no fully, because of him right now. Geez, he wanted to apologize, but wasn't good with words, besides, who knows how many times she could snap in a day?! He didn't want her getting mad at him again just for trying to take accountability for his mistakes. In the end, he figured he couldn't just say nothing too, the awkwardness was getting a bit unbearable, he didn't really mind, but he knew if he didn't apologize right now, Hermione would just get more mad and ignore him until he acknowledged what he did wrong himself, so now was better then later. 

"Hermione." 

She kept walking faster. Great, the stubborness was already showing.

"Hermione!"

No response again. Hermione walked faster, he noticed Ginny was starting to slow down a bit too.

"Hermione! Slow down and stop dragging Ginny!"

The mention of his sister's name got her to finally stop her footsteps.

"Sorry Ginny, I didn't realize I was dragging you, are you hurt anywhere?"

It seemed Hermione was full on ignoring him right now. But nevermind, at least he was able to stop his best friend from getting his sister hurt.

"It's okay, I'm okay. I was only a little bit unable to keep up." Ginny replied in her usual voice.

"Are you sure?" Hermione asked again, Ginny nodded, so she continued walking again, not with Ginny behind her though.

They returned back to the original slow pace they started with, giving Ron a good chance to catch up. He tried to speak with her a few times again, but obviously, she still paid no mind. he gave up momentarily, thinking of another time later today. When they got back into the school, he tried again, to an avail, she whispered to Ginny to walk back to the dorms alone first before turning around. Amazing how Ginny followed Hermione's orders better than her own brother's.

"What is it now?" She crossed her arms, second time today, and glared at him.

"Sorry for making you help me even when you kept telling me you didn't want to. I guess I was too caught up worrying about how Harry was gonna deal with the news that I forgot to consider your feelings." He said sheepishly, hand moving behind his hand to scratch his hair, a habit he picked up on when he didn't know his way of words.

"Unforgiven."

She wasn't being serious, was she? Oh how stupid he felt for asking that himself, of course she was. Think! What else could he have missed? Oh yeah, he just thought of it.

"Also for telling you to go on with it?"

"The sentence is literally no different than the one you just said." Darn it!

"Sorry for not following your plan." Hermione's brows furrowed.

"Gosh! Ronald, do you seriously think it's because of that?! No! It's because of your incompetetant self not solving your own problems by yourself! I told you multiple times!"

"Talk. to. him!" She pushed him back with her finger everytime she said a word.

"You've seen how bothered Harry was knowing full well that you refused to speak to him to the point of using me as a device that complies to your every order! How hard is it to just communicate? It's pretty obvious you already know it yourself that Harry didn't put his name into the Goblet, you know he would never. Stop letting your own inferiority complex and insecurities ruin your relationship with others."

She took a breath.

"I'm sorry Ron, but until you and Harry solve your own problems out, don't talk to me." Saying those words, she walked away towards whoever knows where.

That was it, Ron officialy screwed up. He shook his head slowly and scoffed, where had he gone wrong? Was it his fight with Harry? Was it really that serious? Must've been if it was enough to tick Hermione off. How had things gone this way? He could feel a headache forming, he found a nearby wall and squatted beside it, putting both his hands beside his hands. This wasn't like him to be this sentimental out in the open, but there was too much happening right now. First, he fought with Harry. Second, Charlie wrote him a letter that contained dangerous information on whether Harry would die or live, then Hermione fighting and leaving him too. It was the first time Hermione had actually left him on his own.

What should he do? He groaned. Should he just suck it up and look for Harry to apologize to him right now? Or should he keep holding his head high? He felt his self-made headache start to get worse. What should he do? What should he do? What should he-

"Weasley? Ridiculous seeing you here."

Malfoy again, just how did he always appear in the worst of times?

"I'm not in the mood for your antics." 

"Those words seem to have become a huge part of your vocabulary these days, I see." 

Have they? That wasn't the point.

"It's 'I heard' not 'I see' . At least get it right."

"It's a metaphor, dumbass, if you were smart you would've know, but I should've seen that coming from a Weasley." Scoffing, he turned his head. Ron swore he could see him practically rolling his eyes.

"So, interesting seeing you here, what dumb stuff did you manage to screw up this time? Have you pissed off you mud-blood girlfriend?"

He stood up, grabbed Malfoy by the collar, and slammed him against the wall.

"Don't you ever call her that again, you think this is some kind of joke, you think this is funny?"

He laughed lightly, then smiled and said.

"Actually, yeah I think it is. It's pretty funny getting a reaction out of you, especially when it's comments about you and your petty girlfriend."

He let go a bit and slammed him against the wall again, Malfoy winced a bit, starting to get serious. Even though Ron was seen as a joke most of the times, his strength couldn't be made fun of, especially when he was going through puberty.

"Shut up! We're not in a relationship, you know nothing about us! A lot has been going on, stop trying to mess with me, what wrong did I do to you to get mistreated like this? Stop being such a spoiled, entitled person. So what if I'm poor and a 'blood traitor'? I'm still a bloody wizard like you. Being rich and having the luxury of buying whatever you want whenever you want doesn't mean you get to step down on others. I just lost both of my best friends, okay? Yeah, I lost them. Got it? So you can fuck right off and spread the rumor out to the whole school that Ron Weasley, the useless ginger head, has been unfriended by both the smartest witch of the year and the boy who lived. And once you're done, you all can gang up on me and laugh as much as you want, cause I'm tired of your bloody shit."

He could've sworn his voice and hands were both shaking, but he wasn't in the right mind to think that, he was trying to hold his own tears back from the overwhelming emotions he haven't felt in years. Then he processed all the words he had just spoken to Malfoy, and he felt embarrased, should he just knock Malfoy out then lie to him nothing was heard? Screw that, he let go of Malfoy's collar slowly, and when Malfoy was about to retort back a snarky comment, he stopped. Ron turned away and walked aroung slowly, only to stop when his enemy spoke up, speaking the words he never thought he would hear from Malfoy directed to Ron.

"Sorry, I didn't realize you had that much going on right now.... You know, I'm not a jerk most of the times. In fact, I'm pretty good at calming people down when they're out of control, you need someone to talk too? I could offer an ear, as an apology."

Ron widened his eyes, was he having nightmares? Or worse, hearing it for real. He turned back, and Malfoy's expression left him more shocked than he could ever be in his whole life. His eyes seemed teary, but were not. He appeared to be frowning. He seemed genuinly trying to make up for what he said for the past years. But what could one measly apology do compared to years of verbal bullying and taunting? He knew he shouldn't believe the words he heard, so he didn't. He kept walking, until Malfoy spoke up again.

"Please.. Your situation was the same as my ex-friend. He harmed himself because of some difficaulties. Even if I hate you right now, I don't ever want the same thing happening to another person, I know you aren't in a position to talk to Potter and Granger right now, and you obviously won't even try to talk to the other Weasleys, so I'm freely lending you my time right now. I'm not joking, I won't speak a word of our conversation once you spill your feelings out. I'm not a bad person."

He turned back again and stared right into Malfoy's eyes, searching for any sign of lies, but found none to his dismay. Could he trust him this one time?

"We could even cast a silencing spell or binding vow, if you know how."

It was so convincing, the thought of Malfoy even taking the risks of casting a binding vow when they didn't learn how to do it yet. He shouldn't trust anyone right now, especially his enemy, but what if he really was just trying to comfort Ron? Nobody would joke about a friend getting hurt badly, even for him that would be too low. He couldn't think straight, whether to accept or not, to trust him or not, or to leave or not. He decided nothing else could be worse then what he was currently dealing with right now.

"One time, let's go somewhere else."

Malfoy let out a sigh.

"Thanks for trusting me, I know it probably took a lot of courage, how about we go to my dorm? There's probably Blaise or Crabbe in my dorm now but I can just tell them to get out. Father originally wanted me to get my own room but his money was denied by Dumbledore."

Going as far as to invite him to his own private space, so unlike him.

"Going into the Slytherins dorms would be too problematic, let's just find somewhere else."

"Any ideas on where?"

He stayed silent.

"Guess it's decided then." 

No, that would be too suspicious, it was already weird enough having Malfoy try to comfort him, he wasn't taking any more risks by letting himself fall into any trap Malfoy may have planned.

"Let's just sit on one of the staircases or in the courtyard."

Malfoy snorted.

"Such a great private place you reccommanded there, should've not expected- I mean, aren't there better places? No offense, I wouldn't mind if my friends saw me being all sweet with you because it was neccassary, but your friends probably would."

"My dorms then."

He really couldn't believe he was suggesting that too, but it was better then being in Malfoy's roon where his sneaky friends would probably spy on them. Malfoy scrunched his nose up, meaning something, but he quickly tried to give a reassuring smile to Ron when he caught him looking. Another weird thing he did.

"That's fine, but I suddenly think maybe you should follow me. I thought of a nice place where nobody knows." 

Malfoy walked away without waiting for a reply, leaving Ron with a choice to follow him. He quickly caught up behind him. They were both quiet, just a Gryffindor willingly following a Slytherin around, nothing suspicious. He caught one or two student's glancing at them for a second on the way here. Malfoy took a lot of turns, where even was he originally going at that time when he found the so called 'place'  he talked about? Then again, Malfoy did say that only he knew it. He lead Ron outside deep into the woods, Ron was starting to get a little bit scared now, he was never one to deal with the woods, especially at night. Thankfully, they stopped after a minute or two. 

Holy Merlin, cause how the fuck did a place like this actually exist without anyone noticing for a long time? He had never in his four years spent here ever seen a place like this before, maybe that was why it took a long walk to even get to this place. Nevermind that, how did Malfoy even find it? Was he running away from school when he accidently discovered this place? But he knew that wasn't the conclusion.

"Amazed? You had the same reaction I did when I first saw this."

He nodded slightly, still fascinated by the sight of a small waterfall off a cliff, he had seen those kinds of things on those kinds of newspapers muggles read daily, but never one in reality. He snapped back to sense and looked at Malfoy.

"How did you find this place?"

"I was looking for a space away from my annoying friends when I heard some sounds and found this place, I had no idea I wandered that far away."

A pause.

"But come on now, that isn't really important, is it? I brought you here to gain your trust, that I actually do want to try and help you for this one time. I didn't bring you here for nothing." Malfoy snuck his hand into his pocket and did some motion while whispering something, he finished it before Ron snapped out of his trance.

Ron sighed, was he really going on with it? Now he felt guilty for reconsidering it, when Malfoy had already showed a secret place to him.

"Fine. I guess you were right about me not having anyone right now. I left Harry, and Hermione left me. And as much as much I wouldn't like to admit it, it is my fault."

He looked at the ground and sat down, listening to the loud waterfall splashing into the lake. He could remember it all like they happened a few minutes, which technically did. Even now, he was still trying to stop himself from letting his eyes water up. It had been years since he ever felt like this, which said a lot. Ron wasn't a sensitive person if you asked him, but he himself knew the truth too.

When his brothers were all sent off to Hogwarts at the start of the semester, he went with them until they stopped at the train station. He watched them dissappear behind the wall, looking happy to go back to school. He always heard from Fred and George describing about all the fun that happened while they were at school, and also read the letters with his mother whenever Percy or the twins sent them one. It made him want to experience being in school sooner. Before Hogwarts, he didn't really have anyone to call his friend, that was expected from a person who only started going to school at the age of eleven. That was why he was so happy when Harry was more than kind to let him in his cabin when he asked shyly. When he saw the sight of all the other cabins already full, he considered going back to Fred and George's cabin, but then argued against him when he remembered he stubbornly rejected their offer earlier.

"I was so dumb, I knew full well that Harry would never want to create a chance to bring more attention to himself. He faced a lot of trauma along with me and Hermione, quite some memories they were. Anyways, he told me two nights before the announcement that he would never want to experience the same kind of thing again, but if it meant making things as it were between us three, then he would go through it all again, no matter how many times, just for me and Hermione."

He laughed lightly, how dumb those words are, he wondered, that if Harry that night knew the drama that was happening right now, would he still think the same thing? Malfoy was staying silent.

"At that time, I was struck with admiration for him, thinking, how could I be that lucky to have met such a friend? One that would go through the depths of hell for a mere one or two people, one who would risk his entire lifespan for his two bestfriends to live for only a minute more. Truly, his popularity was well-earned. When I heard Dumbledore call out his name, I was mad, who wouldn't have been? I was blinded by my own unnoticed jelousy, I thought Harry, my best friend in the entire world, had gone behind my back to gain more fame. Judging by the way my mind works, I'd say it was very believable that time."

He took a deep breath.

When he recieved Charlie's letter, he abandoned all thoughts of Harry putting his name into the Goblet immediately. Really, how could one be that dumb to downplay a dangerous event into a little joke? Certainly not Harry, hell, not even Crabbe would be dumb enough to do that. Harry knew better than anyone else the consequences of putting himself in danger,he swore he didn't put his name in the goblet, Ron had no reason not to believe him, so why didn't he? Ron thought telling Harry would be the quickest way to resolve their issues, but it just made everything worse.

He told Malfoy on and on about what happened, some events not even related to the current topic on hand, he figured, if he was already spilling his feelings out why not all of them? When he was done, he went quiet. He noticed Malfoy had been quiet the entire time. He turned to look at him, expecting Malfoy to say something. He saw Malfoy look in his pocket, then he looked back up at Ron. He looked for a solid second before turned away laughing. What was so funny about a man who spoke vented his troubles out?

"What's wrong? You didn't do anything did you?"

Then he realised, he did do something. Or else he wouldn't have any other reason to be bloody laughing right now. And whatever a Malfoy did, it couldn't be good. Malfoy sneeked a peek at Ron's face again, then he burst out laughing, loudly, this time. Ron stood up.

"What did you do Malfoy?" He asked in an angry tone, half shouting, it didn't matter, this place was too far away from the school for anyone trying to eavesdrop anyway.

"Noth- Nothing." Malfoy was still laughing, even louder than before. All it took was a third look at Ron before he continued, still laughing.

"I'm just surprised at your stupidity. I- I mean, I was starting to doubt my plan the second I made it up, fearing you might catch up, but it seemed I overestimated you and didn't need to worry."

Malfoy had to catch a breath from laughing too much. He couldn't understand, he knew Malfoy did do something, but there simply wasn't anything that could lead to Ron's demise in the place, there obviously couldn't be a hidden camera or device recording their whole conversation. It hit him, there was soemthing recording him! He looked around frantically, but he couldn't find any traces of beeping or oddly shaped item around them.

"Took you long enough to get it. Don't worry, I didn't actually plant a device somewhere, got no time for those useless things."

"Stop lying, where did you hide it." He was starting to get irritated, if he wasn't before, he was now.

"Really, Weasel, are muggle devices all you can think of?" Malfoy took out his wand and pointed to it, then it dawned on him, his wand had been keeping track the whole time! But they hadn't learnt any spells that could have those kinds of abilities.

"You seem to forget we're wizards all the time, are you sure you even want to keep studying at Hogwarts? The school doesn't have time to deal with your small brain forgetting everything, I'm pretty sure hundreds of other students would be happy to take your place, one that is a lot better than you."

"Shut it, Malfoy. What dirty spell did you use this time?"

"I don't find it neccassary to tell you, wouldn't want you learning it yourself after all. All you need to know is that if you obey every of my orders for a month from now on, then I'll delete the audio, and if you don't, you can see what will appear in Witch Weekly tommorrow, granted Potter and Granger would be thanking me for mending your measly friendship, if it could even be called that when you three broke up over a little childish arguement. Keep on mind that I'm still being nice, I would've made you obey me for your whole life if it hadn't meant making me look too cruel."

Too cruel? As if he wasn't giving Ron an ultimatum right now, a bad one either way at that. That was bad, he just spilled all his secret's that had been holed up for days, even months or years at that, he couldn't even remember fully what he said, stupid him not thinking all the time. Screw this, it couldn't get any worse. He launched himself towards Malfoy's wand, opting to break it, but Malfoys reaction was quick, he barely managed to stumble out the way before Ron almost had his grip on it. He reached for his own wand before remembering he left it on his bedside table.

"Deciding to commit crimes now, aren't you? The punishment for stealing could be sentenced to a week suspension from school, or even expulsion." He smirked, Malfoy kept taking a step out of every direction Ron was trying to grab it from, just by an inch, almost like Malfoy was taunting him.

"Shut up! Recording a person without their permission is already a crime! If your're speaking about suspension and expulsion right now, then you would already be on Azkaban! Ron was exaggerating, he knew what Malfoy did wasn't serious enough to award him jail time, but if he was going to be this way, so was Ron. Malfoy rolled his eyes.

"Oh please, stop speaking nonsense, be grateful nobodies here except me to hear about your gibberish, or else they would have died from cringiness with the way you were all sad."

Ron took another step forward, he tripped and nearly fell onto Malfoy's chest, with his head high still stuck on the wand Malfoy was holding with his hand high, Malfoy stopped him with his other hand, now palm facing his front, keeping him from touching face planted onto Malfoy's body. Ron's eyes lowered to meet Malfoy's and he glared at them. They stopped in that specific position. Malfoy smiled teasingly.

"Getting handsy ? I don't think this would be an appropriate time right now to try and get a whiff of my abs, although I wouldn't blame you for taking an opportunity so obviously in front of you. Unfourtunatly , I don't swing that way if you were curious. Ron scowled and quickly grabbed the wand out of Malfoy's hand when he was busy complimenting himself. Without wasting a second like he'd seen on action movies when villians would take too much time talking and end up losing, he snapped the wand right on his leg before Malfoy could retrieve it back. He held the once perfectly fine wand that had been split into two on each of his hands.

Realizing what he had just done, another action he just did without considering the consequences, he shouldn't have let Malfoy get to him, no, he vowed to ignore Malfoy, but he didn't. He broke a wand, much more, a Malfoy's wand. How would Ron be able to repay him? Nevermind paying for a regular wand, his family didn't even have enough money to buy him a new one, he cringed at the memory of being so excited to get his own wand only to have his expectations let down by receiving Bill's wand which didn't even fit him. Malfoy's type of wand would have been any normal one when he discovered it, but his father had surely told the wandmaker to remake it using the highest of qualities.

He raised his head slowly, looking to see the reaction on Malfoys face. He looked shocked, he clearly didn't think Ron would be dumb enough to go to such lengths, but he just kept surprising him more and more. HIs face twisted into anger a few seconds later.

"Why did you break it?"

Ron, at a loss for words, could only sputter out whatever he had left.

"You- you started it first, it's not my fault you were being such a dick. If you just deleted the recording then this wouldn't have happened."

"You dare blame it on me?"

"I'm speaking facts! Your wand wouldn't be broken right now if you didn't record me. You were the one who started all this."

Malfoy looked enraged. As if he had the right too.

"You-" 

He lung forward and punched Ron, making Ron fall. Malfoy didn't give me time to recover, ran and straddled Ron, punching him repeatedly, throwing one after another. It wasn't until Ron small a small opening and flipped them over. Making Ron on top, his face was full of blood, but he learned from his own weakness that he didn't have time to spare. He planted both of his hands on the side of Malfoy's neck, wondering if he should just choke him or at least make him lose his voice so he couldn't annoy Ron. Malfoy hooked a leg around Ron's waist and flipped them around.

"I swear.... I'm gonna kill you!"

They kept flipping and flipping until there were near the lake, it honestly seemed like a dog's fight rather than two grown student's fighting. Suddenly, Malfoy looked sideways and pushed Ron back off himself, he dipped Ron's head into the water and held his grip for about five seconds before Ron's resisting started to gain effect. Ron gasped for air once Malfoy made a mistake and lost control for a second, but he quickly regain focus and smashed Ron's head back into the water. He watched Ron struggle, going insane from the lack of air. Right before he fully drowned, Malfoy pulled him back up, and left him displayed on the ground before standing up. Ron was losing conscious already, unable to differentiate what was right and wrong. Panting, unable to move.

"You best believe my father will hear about this."

Malfoy kicked him one last time before wiping the blood from his nose and walked away to who knows where. Ron fell asleep after that.

Ron opened his eyes slowly. He was in a daze, where was he even? He squinted his eyes, moving his hand to them to block them from the brightness of the moon.

Oh right. He remembered what happened now. Ugh, he pushed himself up with his hands, groaning as he did that. By the looks of it, his hands had been hurt, also his face. Most of it were dried blood. It was one heck of a day for him. There was a lot of time for him to just lay there and remain unseen, but he didn't want that, he wanted to get his friends back and also get revenge on Malfoy for almost killing him, Malfoy's emotions didn't justify what he did to Ron, even if Ron did break his wand first, he would still find some way to pay him back. He noticed he was still in the forest, he shuddered, he wasn't good with them, at least there wasn't any fog, or worse, the forbidden forest. He quickly got back to the school.

He was about to enter the Gryffindor dorms before he stopped and realized he looked like shit. Ron opted to go to Madam Pomfrey to treat his injuries, but what if Malfoy was there at the same time? Nevermind, he'd never seen Malfoy go to the nurse's office before. At the same time he was too lazy to go, who wouldn't, after getting into a fight? Fuck it, he thought. He opened his mouth before Ron heard someone speak up.

"Ronald?"

No, not Hermione. It was humiliating enough he lost to him, he couldn't bear himself to appear before Hermione with how pathetic his state was in now. He couldn't avoid eye contact with her forever, he stared back into her eyes, he noticed she held two books, Hermione probably went to the library again to finish her homework. She dropped her books and rushed to Ron once she saw how badly Ron was harmed.

"What happened? How did you get hurt? Are you okay? Your wounds look as bad as Malfoy's-"

It struck her.

"You fought with Malfoy.. You idiot! Why would you do that? You told me you wouldn't let his words get to your head anymore."

Hermione had forgotten the promise she made with herself. He wanted to tell her it wasn't his fault, but it was simply too embarrasing, because he knew if he said that, he would have to explain the whole story to her, which meant admitting how he so stupidly left himself vulnerable with a Malfoy.

"None of your business. Didn't you say you want nothing to do with me?"

"Those were not my words! I said I wanted you to solve your problems with Harry yourself. "

"Just quit it!"

Hermione stopped for a moment. Her voice turned soft.

"Ron, you know I worry over you enough already. You also know whatever Malfoy said was gibberish, so why do you still fight him?"

"He started it."

She sighed.

"Come on, let's talk about it inside."

She led him inside. They sat by the fireplace, where the three of them used to sit at. Ron gave up, he always caved in to Hermione everytime. 

He started telling the events of what happened between him and Malfoy, what happened at the waterfall. He didn't leave any details, he could trust Hermione. He spoke and spoke, with Hermione interuppting him every now and then. 

"... I broke Malfoy's wand too. I don't know how to get him a new one."

"What! Why would you do that!"

"He threatened me! You know I'm not smart enough to think before doing certain things."

"Ron.. You know what? You should get yourself cleaned up first. I'm going to look for some medicine from Madame Pomfrey, it would lessen the work to get you to her."

Despite everything that happened that morning, Hermione still couldn't resist caring for Ron. When she got up, preparing to leave. Ron gripped the end of her shirt. Hermione turned back.

"I'll... I'll apologize to Harry tomorrow. So you shouldn't worry anymore."

Hermione brightened up.

"Thanks Ron."

Ron, in fact, did not apologize to Harry the next day. He was walking through the hallways when he bumped into Harry. And for no reason at all, the first thing he recieved was,

"You're a right foul git, you know that?"

Then he took back all the guiltiness he had felt because of Harry, no way he was going to apologize to Harry when his attitude was like that. 

"You think so?" He replied bitterly.

"I know so." Ron fought the urge to roll his eyes.

"Anything else?"

"Yeah, stay away from me."

There was no way he could ever do that, considering there were literally living in the same room, but Ron cared less.

"FIne."

Then he brushed past Harry, geez, what was his problem? 

That night, he slammed the door open to where his detention with Malfoy was taking place. He found Malfoy already seated in the front row, he took a seat at the back, where he hoped Snape would be blind enough to not see him. However, that would be impossible, Snape spoke the second he sat down.

"Weasley, expectedly late, 10 points taken from Gryffindor.

"What! That's outrageous, we agreed to start detention on 6:30! I was right on time!"

Snape was not having it.

"I would shut that mouth if I were you." He glared at Snape and stopped talking. Snape stood up and started walking around, a smirk starting to appear in his eyes, never the good kind. 

"Today.. this session will be different from what I do to the other students. Today, you will spar."

Ron widened his eyes in surprise, surely the other teachers wouldn't allow that right?

"I'm sure that's against the rules, sir."

"It is not. It is acceptable for a punishment. You will both compete until either one of you is unhanded."

Malfoy spoke up.

"Unfourtunatly, sir, my wand is unable to use due to being snapped in half by someone."

He glared at Ron.

"So as much as I'd like to do as told, I'm afriad I can't."

Snape stayed silent, it was clear that he hadn't thought of what would happen in another case.

"Very well then. You will both write a hand-written 700-hundred word essay about why you have been sent to this detention with me. I do not care if you don't have the ability to write, you will finish it, otherwise, you can stay here for the rest of the night. If I deem your essay unfit, then you will write double the amount and give it back to me. The cycle will keep going on and on until you've accomplished what I said."

He looked at the clock in the back.

"I reccommend you start now unless you find better satisfaction in doing something worse."

He handed a blank paper to them.

Snape was snoring, loudly. Ron wanted to do Arguementi on him right now to wake him, it would be hilarious to see his reaction. How did that man even become a teacher? Rumors had been going on for years he used to work for the dark lord, guess Dumledore had favourites. He was stuck on his 650th word, he counted everytime he thought he had finished it, he was proud of himself for writing this much, even if it was just rephrasing the first to fifth sentences in different ways.

"Weasley."

He cocked his head toward where his name was called. It had been a pretty awkward atmosphere between them since yesterday, well for him it had, he was sure Malfoy had a burning hatred for him right now, he couldn't blame him, well he could, but it wouldn't change anything.

"What?"

"I'd like to make a proposal."

Things got interesting once Ron heard him.

"What do you mean?"

"Let's see who finishes first, if you do, you won't have to repay me anymore, but if I do,"

He stopped for a moment, lips twisting into a sinister smile.

"You'll have to beg me on your knees to forgive you for breaking my wand, then I might even let you off the hook this time. That would be a sight to see."

"No. You're sick if you think I'm actually gonna do that."

"Why? It's a good deal for you no matter whatever option it is, you just have to swallow your pride. Doesn't family always come first? You should be able to do that little if it meant not making your family go bankrupt. Just so you know, my father likes to sell for ten times the price, I'm sure that would cost more than your entire lifetime."

Ron stayed silent.

"How do you know I'm not one word away from being done?"

"I'm willing to gamble, whichever way it goes, there's no loss for me."

"Fine."

He just had to write 50 more words. 50, just a little more. If he didn't, he was damned. He hoped his family knew what he was doing for them right now. Begging to a Malfoy meant death and humiliation. He scribbled the remaining words quickly. He hurried to the front desk, afraid of Malfoy suddenly cutting him off. Relief washed over him once he got there. He shook Snape, Snape stirred lightly, as if he finally remembered what he was doing, he sat up straightly.

"Weasley, 500 words more and 20 points from Gryffindor for disrupting my sleep."

"That's outrageous!"

"You will do as I say and you will do it right now."

Ron slammed both of his hands on the table.

"I will not."

"I dare you to utter one more word of that."

Ron scowled and snatched the paper back from Snape's hand and got back to his seat. Now he was sure his pride was already dying.

Malfoy smiled, as if he predicted that, guess being from Snape's house provided him useless and useful information at the same time. As if on cue, he hurriedly submitted his essay right after. Snape took one look at it and he answered.

"Rejected."

Malfoy's face fell, he had not been anticipating that in any way.

"What do you mean? I met all your requirments."

"You did, but I'm not sure if rewriting the same sentence until it exceeds the limit is acceptable. That is what you did here, you didn't show any remorse. Your dumb actions could've made the Slytherin house lose the house cup, I am not above losing the house cup four times in a row. I won't keep letting you off that easy. I'm discliplining you for all of the Slytherins this one time. "

He scoffed. 

"My father will hear about this."

He watched as Malfoy returned angrily. His mouth wide open, never in Merlin's sack would he have thought that Snape wouldn't pull the favourtism card. The god's were in his favour today, he still had hope. 

An hour passed, Ron strolled to where Snape was seated again. He could feel Malfoy glaring daggers. Snape sent him a distrustful look before reading it. After what was possibly the twentieth time Ron saw Snape reread it, Snape grunted disgracefully.

"Scram."  

There was it, the permission to leave. He was more than happy to leave the room. He sent a last look to Malfoy, it teased.

"A deal's a deal."

He had no idea what possessed Snape the moment he made the decision, but he sure as hell was thankful for it. When he laid on his bed was the moment he finally gave a breath of relief. He didn't need to go on his knees for a Malfoy, he didn't need to summon a loan, he didn't have to ask his parent's for money. He simply just needed to forget about all the stuff, Malfoy wasn't one to go back on his word, probably, besides, if he sent a letter to his father, how would he explain the situation? Exactly, there was no way to tell his father without exposing what he did first.

He heard a shuffling noise in the room, Harry had just gotten back. His mood switched in an instant, he was still bitter about what happened the morning. He felt a need to say something back at him, to make it equal.

"Piss off."

The words went out before he realized, when he did, he only proceeded to hide himself under his blanket.

Ron forgot the first task began on Tuesday, hopefully, Hagrid had already warned Harry about all the things he needed to know. How would Harry fight off a dragon? Ron hoped he would only sustained minor burn injuries at best, but he couldn't predict the future. An overwhelming feeling urged him to just apologize to Harry, despite telling him to go away a minute before. He blurted out.

"Hey."

Harry responed, voice sounding angry and sad.

"What?"

... He couldn't going to say it. No, a part of him still didn't want to tell him. There was a ninety-nine percent he already known.

"Nothing."

He stayed silent.

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