Break it Up (Ron Weasley)

13. No Backing Out

"You what?" Ron exclaimed early the next morning after I told him I was done with our plan. He looked as if I just told him I killed his pet rat.

"I'm sorry Ron! I thought it over a lot last night, and it's just not something I want to do anymore," I explained.

"She's right, you know," Harry remarked from across the room. "You should stop now."

"Shut up Harry." Ron snapped, not breaking his eye contact with me. "Y/n, you can't back out now. We've made it this far!" he exclaimed, gesturing around the room like there was some sort of visual proof of what we'd done.

"I'm sorry," I apologized again. "I just feel too guilty." I didn't dare tell Ron I didn't like Cedric anymore. And I especially couldn't tell him who had taken Cedric's place.

Ron looked hurt, and I felt terrible knowing I had been the one to make him feel that way.

"If you can't do it for yourself," he started, stepping closer to me. "Can you do it for me?" He smiled really big in an attempt to convince me.

Another wave of guilt passed over me. I had started doing this to benefit both me and Ron, and now if I backed out, he wouldn't get what he wanted.

I sighed and looked at him for a second. He was still in his pajamas, and his hair was messy from not having brushed it yet this morning. Now that he was closer, I noticed his scent, like a crisp autumn breeze. I felt myself blushing at had to look away.

I bit my lip as I reconsidered everything. If I continued, I would be helping break up and perfectly happy couple and be helping Ron get another girl. These were all negatives.

Then a selfish thought came over me. If I kept this up, I'd get to hang out with Ron more like I do now. And, I'd get to fake date him, which is basically like real dating when we're around other people.

I weighed both sides, but my selfishness took over. "Fine," I sighed.

Ron's face broke into a real smile and he reached out to hug me. His hugs were so comfy and warm, I never want him to let go. But he always does.

"We're getting so close, I can feel it," he said. "Plus, there's that big party tonight in the Slytherin common room. I have some good ideas for it."

I scrunched up my nose. I'd heard of this party, but I never considered attending. "Obviously we'll go together," Ron said while taking off his t-shirt.

There he was again, changing in front of me like it had no effect on me whatsoever. Little did he know how worried I was that both he, Harry, and anyone else within a hundred feet of us could hear my heart hammering though my rib cage at the sight of his toned chest.

Even though I had seen him shirtless before, it was different this time. Like he was something forbidden that I just had to have.

He began to take off his pajama pants and I had to turn around. I couldn't let him see how flustered I was getting.

"What time is the party?" I tried to say casually.

"8:30, I think," Ron said. I was still facing the door. "It's going to be awesome. I think we can really put on a good show for everyone."

"How so?" I asked, turning around. Ron was now in his robes. As much as I was relived, part of me was a little disappointed.

"You know, we'll just be all over one another. Really put the icing on the cake."

The thought of being all over Ron in any sense sent butterflies into my stomach.

"Oh yeah. For sure," I said, nodding along.

"Cedric and Hermione should be there too. I think all the pieces are finally coming together," he added, throwing on a pair of shoes. "Let's go to breakfast. Coming Harry?" Ron asked, stopping in the doorway to wait for his friend.

"You guys go ahead. I'll meet you down there," Harry said, furiously flipping through a black book.

Ron shrugged and the two of us made our way down to the Great Hall.

"Hey, sit with me today," he said once we walked through the large entry way. He put his hand around my waist as we walked, and I could've melted right there on the spot.

"Okay," I blushed, following him to the Gryffindor table. Cedric happened to be sitting there also, with Hermione. Perfect.

"Hey guys!" Hermione exclaimed upon our arrival. Ron had barely even waved before letting go of me and digging in to the grand feast being provided to us today. My body was cold now where he had his hand and I frowned a little.

I looked up to see our friends. "Hey Hermione. Hey Cedric," I greeted, taking the seat on the bench next to Ron.

Cedric leaned forward. "Ready for tonight?" he asked, an excited glint shining in his eyes.

"For the party?" I clarified, now gathering my own food to eat.

"Duh, of course the party," Cedric said. "It's all anyone's talking about today. I heard it's going to be insane."

"Me too," Ron said with a mouthful. I hit him on the arm. "Ow," he said, still with food in his mouth.

That boy does not learn.

"Insane how?" questioned Hermione skeptically. She didn't seem like the type to go to "insane" parties. But honestly, I don't either, and I'm going.

"Just insane," Cedric said again shortly. "It'll be one for the books."

Hermione rolled her eyes at the boys' vagueness and looked at me. "Hey, at least if these two get annoying, we'll have each other," she said, smiling at me.

I smiled back. "Yes, and we know that they will," I replied, laughing.

"Hey!" Ron and Cedric yelled simultaneously. Hermione and I just laughed at them.

"But seriously," Hermione said, now leaning closer to me. "I've never been to anything like this. I'm a little nervous," she admitted.

"I haven't either," I revealed. "We can stick together."

We both smiled again. I was glad to have Hermione as a new friend. I felt like the two of us had more in common than either of us had realized.

Ron looked back and forth between the two of us and raised his eyebrows. He was clearly not used to Hermione and I being close.

"What?" I asked defensively.

"Nothing..." he said slowly, while grabbing more food from the center of the table.