It hurts when you're gone (Ron Weasley Fanfic)

Chapter 13- Longing for you

'That vicious hag..'

'Ron, careful..she might be coming out of class..'

Ron scowled.

'I don't care either, Ron's right. She's sick. How long can the Ministry say that Harry's lying? It was really brave of him to stand up to her, you know.'

Ron, I and Hermione were walking out of our first DADA class, better renamed as Theory Of Defence. I was absolutely appalled by Umbridge's behaviour and totally mad at Fudge for having given us such an annoying teacher- especially in our OWL year.

'But then again, I don't think many people believe him. They want solid proof' Ron said, narrating how Seamus was trying to keep away from Harry, as though he had some contagious disease.

'Yeah? Like someone's corpse?'

'Listen, Y/N, Ron; your family members work at the Ministry. I'd rather you both keep your head down, or could get expelled the first chance she gets. Worse, something could happen to your parents.'

'Yeah, like my mum hasn't warned me a million times already' I said, sighing.

'Wait. I thought getting expelled was worser?' said Ron, his eyes narrowed at Hermione.

'Oh shut up Ron..' Hermione said, swinging her hand against his shoulder. I laughed along with them, but something stung me then. Perhaps it was only the jolly camaraderie they shared. I consoled myself with the fact that Hermione knew him longer, but she was only a great friend. I hoped Ron had more feelings for me than he let on.

'McGonagall will be fair' Ron said, thinking.

'Yeah, especially when Harry's done nothing wrong' I said.

'But he's going to have to control himself. The truth will be out one day, but if he keeps losing his calm like this, I fear..' Hermione left her omnious sentence mid-way as Harry approached us.

'What happened?' all three of us questioned him simultaneously.

'Nothing, she just wants me to keep my cool. Says the Ministry has a greater hand in Hogwarts's affairs now. Plus detentions from Umbridge...' Harry said wearily, hitching up his satchel. I suddenly felt ever so sorry for the boy.

Night in the common room was not a pleasant experience.

Hermione yelled her head off at Fred and George for testing their products. ('Hermione, it won't harm them! We tested them on ourselves first!')

Angelina yelled her head off at Harry for getting detention on the day she'd scheduled Keeper Tryouts. ('You think Harry did it on purpose? He was just standing up to that cruel woman!')

'Ron, I've got a raging headache now..' I said, moaning and massaging my head. Hermione was still raging a war against the Weasley twins. I felt glad for the first time that I wasn't a Prefect. I simply couldn't be responsible for what others did.

'Y/N?' Ron said, taking my hand.

'Hmm..?'

'Will you come upstairs? I want to show you something..'

'Well okay' I said, putting my books into my bag and getting up.

I followed Ron into the Boys Dormitory. I obviously felt a little awkward as I said, 'Ron, I'm not sure I'm supposed to be here..'

'Just a mo.' He rummaged around in his trunk and pulled out a broomstick.

'Cleansweep 11!' I said, tracing my fingers over the writing on the handle.

'Yeah, I'm going to try out for Keeper, told you already, haven't I?'

'Do the others know?'

'Errmm..no.'

I looked at Ron, who was uncertainly shuffling his feet. 'You want me to come to the stands, right?'

'Yeah, I mean, if you want to..'

'Course I will. I'll cheer you on, Ron.'

Ron smiled wide and said, 'Don't tell the others, please.'

'You think I would?' I said, sitting down next to him on his bed.

'No..it's just that Fred and George haven't really been supportive of me being Prefect.'

'But I am..' I said in a sing-song voice. Ron put an arm around my shoulder and said, 'I know Y/N, I know.'

We stayed there a few minutes, just him and me, staring at the beams of moonlight coming in through the window next to his bed.

And then staring at each other, until I couldn't take it anymore and rushed off to the girls' dormitory. Did Ron know he could tap into my inner true self just with a few kind words? Did he know that a single smile, made me squirm inwardly and wish for more? Did he know he could make my heart flutter with happiness everytime he took my hand or held me?

'I hope you do know, I hope you love me, Ron' I whispered, lying down on bed and blowing my candle off.

Later in the night I heard Hermione muttering as she got into bed. 'Hermione??' I whispered, rubbing my eyes open.

'Hmph. I'll write to their mum alright. As if it isn't enough that I already have one Weasley driving me mad' she said indignantly.

My heart stopped beating- what did she mean? I had to come out with the question. Perhaps such a personal question might better be asked in the dead of the night. I steeled myself and propped my elbow on the pillow. I could see Hermione's bushy hair tied in a ponytail that concealed her eyes from where I looked.

'Hermione, do you mind if I ask you something personal?' I said.

'Hmm..go on.'

'Do you..do you like him?' It sounded so wrong, like I was accusing her. I felt bad.

She brushed the hair off her face and stared at me.

'If you mean Ron, I thought you knew we were only friends?? Of course I like him, but just in a friendly way, Y/N.'

I didn't know what to say after that, it just felt pretty awkward. So I settled for a 'Goodnight' and closed my eyes.

I knew Hermione would never keep secrets from me. She was my best friend, after all.