closer

chapter 4

-harry

I checked my watch.
8:32am
Half an hour until Transfiguration.
A week until the first task.

With Hermione's clockwork study times and no Ron, I often spent time between lessons wandering round the Hogwarts with no destination in particular.

That day was no different, so I had planned to climb about seven floors while avoiding anyone bearing a 'Potter Stinks' badge before 9am. No thinking about Ron or Hungarian Horntails, just-
Why is Ron walking right at me?
Does he want to throw another insult, make my life just a little harder..
"Harry, mate!" He yells.
I quickly turn down a corridor, unable to take another argument.
"Harry!!" shouts Ron again, running to catch up and touching me on the shoulder.

A group of second years gawked at him.
"Piss off, would you." Ron muttered at them.
The corridor cleared out and we just stared at each other.
"Harry-I-" He started, looking forlorn.
I could tell what he was trying to say.
"It's okay." I told him.
"I should have believed you." Ron says, looking at the floor.
"Ron, it's okay. I understand."
"Seriously? Mate, it's been weeks."
I looked at the floor as well.
"I missed you." I admitted
It was quiet for a bit, and Ron smiled.
"I really missed you too."
Seemingly out of nowhere, he pulled me into a hug - I think this might possibly be even harder than arguing. He let me go a few seconds, then gave me a slightly odd look.

"We should get to Transfiguration, yeah?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, sure."
On the way to class, we chatted as normal - but somehow things just felt different. Like how it did in those couple months before my name came out the goblet. But even as Rom laughed at my jokes or brushed my hand accidentally, I never thought he'd even notice how I felt, let alone feel the same.