Control ▸ Ron Weasley [2]

XVII. RESIGNATION

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:
RESIGNATION

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      "So...I take it you aren't going to the game?"

      Ron was sitting up in his bed, munching on some food that Hermione had brought for him a little earlier. He seemed to be pretty disappointed that he wouldn't be able to play in the game today, but understood that he needed time to rest and heal. It also didn't hurt that Nova didn't have any plans on leaving his side, despite the fact that Blaise really wanted her at the game. Ron had puffed out his chest a little at the idea that Nova was choosing him over Blaise, and she rolled her eyes.

      "Someone's got to make sure you're alright," she responded, shrugging her shoulders. She had hardly left the Hospital Wing since he'd been admitted. His family had finally left a few hours prior, the twins giving Nova a big hug before they'd left and asking her to write with any updates on their younger brother. It seemed that as upset as they were with Ron for how things turned out with Nova, they still didn't like to see him nearly comatose.

      Ron frowned. "You can go to the game if you want, Nova. I don't want to keep you."

      She knew it would probably be easier on her heart if she just went to the game. She'd hardly seen the outside of the Hospital Wing in hours. But she couldn't bring herself to leave just yet. Not when there was even the slightest chance that Ron needed her. They were friends, she reminded herself. And friends didn't let friends sit in their hospital room bored and thinking about the game they couldn't play. "I know that, you numpty. I'm staying here."

      He tried to hide it, but she caught the glimpse of happiness and satisfaction on his face when she was so resolute in her answer. He still couldn't believe that she had shown up to the Hospital Wing at all, let alone refused to leave his side. "I'm just letting you know it would be okay."

      "Since when have I let you dictate my actions?" she asked, surprised at how light and affectionate her voice sounded.

      Though, she shouldn't be surprised, she supposed.

      Theo was her everything. He was her other half, the only person who understood what it was like to live with their father. They shared their highs, their lows, their triumphs and downfalls. But she wasn't stupid enough to ignore the fact that in Theo's world, there was more bad than good. That there was a little piece of her brother that she'd lost and would never get back or understand or share with him. With the Weasleys, there was only lightness. Sure, her heart still ached whenever she thought too hard about the breakup, but it was still just...pure to be around them. So really, she shouldn't be surprised that she sounded like the weight of the world was finally off her shoulders when she was talking to a member of the family she'd come to cherish so much.