I can't remember a time that I didn't know Ron Weasley. Our families had been close for years. My mum and Molly Weasley were inseparable when they were at Hogwarts. Ron and I were the same way. My older brother was the same way with Charlie. Our lives were always destined to be intertwined.
During our 4th year, I started feeling different around Ron. It wasn't ever anything major. At least, it wasn't until our 6th year. Seeing him with Lavender made my stomach turn and my blood boil. I would always say that it was because she was taking all of my best friend's time. But it was so much more. She had the one thing I had always wanted.
"Do they have to snog non-stop? And in the Great Hall of all places! Some people are trying to eat," I complained, the annoyance I felt seeping into my words. Harry laughed as he looked up at them. Lavender was sitting on Ron's lap across the room from us. "Do they not have to breathe?"
"Apparently not," Hermione replied sarcastically. They returned their attention to the food in front of them, but I couldn't. I'd suddenly lost my appetite.
When they finally pulled apart, Ron looked at me. I rolled my eyes before turning away. The rest of our study session was uneventful and dreary. So were the rest of my classes for the day.
~
One night a few weeks later, I walked into the common room after an exhausting day. I was ready to just relax with my friends. I was heading upstairs to put my books away when someone called my name. I turned around and was met with Ron. I couldn't remember the last time I'd spoken to him before then. I couldn't even remember the last time I saw him. He looked tired.
"Hey, Ron. What's up?" I tried to act normal. He was my best friend after all. I had to at least attempt to be happy for him.
"Nothin' much. I just feel like we haven't gotten to talk in a while. Y'know, just you and me."
"Yeah, it has been a bit." He nodded. I adjusted my bag on my shoulder.
"Do you wanna take a walk and catch up?"
I smiled down at him. "Sure. Let me put my stuff up and I'll be right back." He smiled back at me and nodded again. I hurried up to my room. I checked my appearance in the mirror and adjusted my hair before joining him.
We walked through the weaving halls and moving staircases. It was really nice to be talking to him again. Everything was feeling normal. He laughed and I watched as his eyes crinkled in the corners adorably. His smile was so contagious. I felt guilty for feeling this way when I knew he had a girlfriend. After a while we somehow ended up in the astronomy tower.
I walked to the edge. I leaned on the balcony, taking in all of the surrounding area. The sun was beginning to set. It was breathtaking. I glanced over my shoulder to see that Ron was still standing at the top of the stairs. He was just looking at me with a smile. I blushed and turned back to the view.
"It's beautiful," I said. He hummed in agreement. I heard his footsteps coming towards me. Soon, he was leaning against the railing right next to me. He was so close that our shoulders were touching. Neither one of us was looking at the other, but I could feel an energy. It was this intense feeling that I had started to get in the past couple of years whenever we touched.
"I broke up with Lavender," he said, randomly. His voice was calm. He didn't seem upset or conflicted. I felt a flutter in my heart and an involuntary smile took over. I tried to hide it quickly. His small laugh told me that he saw it though.
"Really? When?"
"Last week."
"Why?" I wanted so badly to look at him, but I couldn't. I was too worried of what I might do if I did.
"A couple reasons. She was a bit too clingy for me. She would become extremely jealous of anyone I talked to. Even Harry!" I laughed at that. "She was jealous of you the most though. She didn't want me even breathing in your direction."
"She saw me as that much of a threat?"
He nodded. "I like someone else a whole lot more than I could ever like her anyway. Like, a billion times more!"
"Really?" My voice wavered slightly and I cursed myself for it.
"Yeah. I have for a couple of years actually."
"Then why did you date Lavender if you liked someone else?"
"I never thought the girl would feel the same way about me. I didn't think I was good enough for her." I finally turned to look at him. I gasped when I realized how close our faces were. My nose almost bumped his. "But I figured out how bloody stupid I was to think that."
"Oh, really? And how'd you figure that one out?" I smirked at him. He laughed and looked down for a moment.
"I saw how me being with Lavender made her feel. I could see the jealousy and hurt in her eyes. That told me everything I needed to know. And I felt terrible for doing that to her."
"Well, you better make it up to her."
"I intend to." He smiled wide and I couldn't help but do the same. I saw his gaze drift between my eyes and my lips a few times. I licked my lips quick before leaning forward to kiss him. We both stood up to be facing each other completely. His hands cupped my face gently as I held onto his forearms. Everything was perfect.
