Broken {Ron Weasley}

3. Acquaintances

I hardly talked to Ron for the rest the school year until winter break. Besides the first time we were forced to hang out, he avoided me as much as he could, barely looking at me long enough to smile politely as we passed in the halls.

Soon, it was the last day of school before Christmas break, and I was instructed in a letter from my mom and Molly to find Ron after classes and travel by floo to the burrow.

"Hey," Lavedner greeted me as she entered my room, walking up behind where I stood hunched over throwing clothes recklessly into my suitcase. "You're not packed yet?"

"No," I huffed as I continued tossing things in. "I'm working on it."

She laughed and leaned over to help as we both heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" I called out.

"Me," came Ron's voice from the other side. "Are you ready yet?"

"Oh my gosh, he's here," Lavender exclaimed in what I'm sure she thought was a whisper.

"Yes, I'm ready," I replied, ignoring Lavender.

"I'm coming in," Ron then said, twisting the handle and pushing the door in. "Hurry up."

"I'm hurrying," I shot back, zipping the final side of the suitcase. "See? All ready."

"Whatever," he mumbled, rolling his eyes. "Hey Lavender."

That right there might've been enough to make Lavender throw up.

"Hi," she managed to squeak back, her eyes wide and her cheeks turning red.

Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. "Are we leaving or what?" I cried.

"Yes," Ron huffed in response. "Let's go." He turned to walk back out the door. "Bye Lavender," he called out before stepping into the hall.

"Bye Lav," I called as well, but my goodbye didn't mean nearly as much to her.

"Bye," she answered breathlessly before I closed the door, leaving her alone in my room as she processed what just happened.

"Why is she acting weird?" Ron asked as I dragged my suitcase behind him.

"I don't know," I sighed, quickening my pace to keep up with him.

~

After our quick trip to the ministry and our ventures with floo powder and green flames, we arrived at the burrow.

I've been before, when I was younger, but seeing it so many years later felt strange. Nostalgic, almost.

"It's just like I remember," I stated, glancing around as I stepped out of the fireplace and into the living room.

"Yeah, it's the same house," Ron shot from behind me.

"Darlings!" Molly exclaimed, running out from the kitchen toward us. "You made it!"

"Yeah, we made it," Ron repeated flatly.

"You're here!" cried my mom from behind Molly, holding her arms out and hugging me tightly. "It feels like it's been forever!"

"And just in time for dinner!" Molly called out as she retreated to the kitchen. "Go ahead and sit down at the table."

Ron and I both looked to the table to see two spots next to each other left empty, and we both resisted the urge to roll our eyes as we sat down.

Molly brought our food over and took her seat as well while everyone immediately launched into loud and cheerful conversation with one another.

Well, almost everyone.