Break it Up (Ron Weasley)

12. Mission Report

"How'd it go?" Ron asked immediately after I shut the door behind me. I had just returned to his room after we both talked with Hermione and Cedric.

"Ugh," I heard from across the room. Harry was here now, and he still wanted no part of our scheme. He rolled over in his bed and put his pillow over his head.

"Don't mind him," Ron shooed. "You were gone for a while after I came back."

"Yeah, it was really fun," I said, walking over to the couch to sit down. "Hermione is actually super fun to hang out with."

Ron made a "well-duh" face. "I think I would know."

He sat down next to me. "How'd it go with the relationship stuff?"

Suddenly, I felt guilty remembering why I had initially gone down to the library to see Hermione. Here I was, befriending her, just to go and try to destroy her relationship. It felt wrong.

I sighed. "I don't know. We talked about it a little I guess."

Ron was getting fed up. "A little? Y/n, the whole plan was to go down there and talk about it! You had to have learned something helpful with the liquid luck!"

I looked off to the side. "Yeah, I guess I did."

He leaned in, eager to hear what I had learned earlier. "What did she say?"

"Well, she's worried Cedric likes someone else. Someone who's recently gotten into a relationship. She said he talks about her a lot."

Ron's eyes lit up. "Y/n! This is great! Why aren't you more excited?"

To be honest, I didn't know why I wasn't excited. The thought of Cedric possibly liking me didn't have the same effect it would've on me before I hung out with Hermione today. Or before I started hanging out with Ron.

That was weird. Why was that?

"No, I am excited," I said defensively, standing up from the couch next to Ron. "I just feel a little guilty, that's all."

Ron stood up too. "Don't. Cedric told me he's worried that Hermione doesn't trust him. This is perfect!"

I should've been relieved right now. So glad that the plan Ron and I had crafted was finally starting to have some effects. So glad that Cedric finally liked me.

But I felt the exact opposite. I felt tired and spent and like what we were doing was wrong.

I looked up to see Ron's face light up again and his eyes glowing. He clearly still did not have his moral compass and was over the moon that we were getting closer to our goal.

I couldn't rain on his parade like that. I was at a moral crossroads.

"Listen, I'm tired," I said, walking over towards the door. "Oh and by the way, did you two know we have a Defense Against the Dark Arts exam tomorrow?" I asked, Ron and Harry both turning towards me with looks of terror across their faces.

"We do?" they asked in unison.

"Yup! So get studying," I said before closing the door behind me.

I had just made my way out of the Gryffindor area when I heard someone scoff from behind me.

"Where you coming from, y/l/n?" a familiar cold voice asked.

I turned around to see none other than Draco Malfoy himself.

"Nowhere," I said. I was tired. I didn't have time for whatever Draco wanted right now.

He smirked. "I know you and Weaselby are up to something," he said, walking towards me. "And I'm going to find out what," he threatened.

I rolled my eyes at his cockiness. "We're not up to anything," I denied, but I already know I'm terrible at lying. Especially when I'm too tired to care.

Draco just raised and eyebrow and walked away. Great, now I have my moral compass and Draco Malfoy against me. This was not looking good.

I finally arrived back at the Hufflepuff area. Just as I said the password to get in, I heard my name called from behind me.

I expected to see Draco back to taunt me more, but instead, I saw Cedric, running to catch up with me.

"Hey!" he said, out of breath when he arrived next to me.

"Hi," I said awkwardly. Knowing what I know now did not improve my social skills with Cedric.

"I meant to say this earlier, but I'm really happy for you and Weasley," Cedric said, and I turned to see his expression was genuine. He really meant it.

He didn't look jealous or spiteful or hateful towards Ron at all. I was expecting him to shit talk him based off what Hermione told me earlier.

"So, what's he like as a boyfriend?" Cedric asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"A what?" I asked, unprepared for that sort of question. How was I supposed to answer that? "Well, he's sweet. And kind. And he's really funny," I remarked, thinking back to all the times we had laughed together.

Cedric just smiled. "Well, I know I said this already, but I'm really happy for you, y/n," Cedric said, looking down at me.

"I'm happy for you too," I answered, smiling up at him. "You and Hermione seem really happy."

The weird thing was, I meant what I was saying. I didn't feel hateful toward either of them or their relationship. I was genuinely happy that both of them were happy.

He blushed. "Thanks." He turned to look back at all the rooms. "We should probably go to bed soon. They'll be in here for dorm checks any minute now," he said. "See you tomorrow, y/n."

"Bye, Ced," I waved.

I returned to my room and instantly sprawled across my bed. So much had happened today and I just had to process it all.

I didn't want to break up Cedric and Hermione. I didn't even want Cedric for myself anymore. And it definitely hurt my ego to admit, considering I'd gotten involved with this big plan to do just that.

As I tossed and turned throughout the night and uncertainty raced through my mind, there was one thing I couldn't get out of my head.

Or, one person, should I say.

And I know, his sarcastic attitude and crude comments were definitely annoying at first. But now, Ron was all I could think of.

I kept replaying the small moments we'd shared over the past few weeks together. The weird and crazy situations we'd gotten ourselves into. The entire fake relationship we'd created.

My heart stung a little as I realized how key the word "fake" was in that sentence.

The restless night went on and I realized that I had to tell Ron I was done with our plan. I couldn't go through with it anymore.