The Trouble With Harry

The Trouble with Harry

Chapter 12: Woowoowoowoo...Psycho

Ron's eyes fixed on the page in deep concentration. "Common taxonomy of carnivorous plant species indigenous to...damn it," he mumbled to himself. It had been the third time he'd read that same sentence, but it just wouldn't sink in. Herbology wasn't his best subject, but then nothing really was. And memorizing nomenclature...why should they need to know about some obscure plant in the depths of a Peruvian rainforest? It was not as if he'd ever go to Peru. And even if he did, he'd never waste his time there looking at some stupid plants. That was more Neville Longbottom's inclination.

Normally Neville might have helped him with his homework. Everyone knew Neville was a genius at these things. All Ron would have to do was copy Neville's classification notes and he'd be done with it. But he couldn't ask Neville. He was avoiding the boy after all.

In fact that was the reason he was in the stupid library in the first place. Harry, Hermione, and Neville had monopolized the common room leaving him no place to go, leaving him to take desperate measures and grudgingly find a quiet corner in the dreaded library.

Hmm...maybe Harry has a thing for gardeners...

Similarly obscure and silly ideas had been popping in and out of Ron's head since morning as he tried, and only partially succeeded, to avoid thinking about where he'd gone wrong and Neville had gone so terribly and inexplicably right. He wasn't quite ready to have that conversation with Harry either.

The idea of Harry and Neville...he shivered and closed his eyes, massaging his temples...the shock was still too fresh. He felt awfully numb. Since he'd gotten out of bed, he'd felt as if he were floating through some kind of hazy dream world where nothing made sense and things didn't really matter. It felt kinda good. Not having to think too hard. Not having to feel much of anything. But a twinge of something insidious would lump in the back of his throat every now and then when he'd look in Harry's direction during classes. It may have been okay now, but he could tell it would hurt like hell when it sunk in all the way.

"Weasley! Fancy seeing you here. What, did you get lost or something?"

Ron shook himself from his thoughts and looked up to find Draco sneering at him from the across the table. "Huh?" he said dumbly.

"This is the library. Not exactly your type of place, what with all the studying and brain activity going on."

Ron frowned at the implication and sat perturbed. "I study. I'm studying right now."

"Funny, I don't know many people who study with their eyes closed."

Ron's frown deepened as he flushed ever so slightly. "What do you want Malfoy?"

Draco let an exaggerated sigh slip past his lips. "I just wanted to ask you about Harry. Has he said anything about yesterday?"

"Why would I tell you that Malfoy? If you want to know so badly, why don't you go ask him yourself?" Ron paused. Wait a second, I don't want Malfoy talking to Harry. Just tell him what he wants to know and maybe he'll go away. "Look, Malfoy, he hasn't talked to me yet. But it's all out in the open now, and I'm sure Hermione already told him about yesterday, so he knows everything. He's probably nervous about bringing it up. So I don't know anything. Leave me alone."

"But he's still with Longbottom right?" asked Draco.

Ron let out a breath of exasperation. "Of course he is! Did you expect everything to suddenly change in a day?"

Draco smiled to himself. "Oh plenty can change in a day Weasley." He turned to walk away, but Ron grabbed his wrist.

"Hey what do you mean by that? What are you planning Malfoy?" He narrowed his eyes at the blond.

"Nothing that concerns you Weasley. Now if you'd kindly remove your grimy hands--."

"Hey what's this?" asked Ron grabbing a parchment out of Draco's fist. He had noticed it when the Slytherin had first addressed him, how Draco was fidgeting with it and glancing down at it in a very suspicious manner. And then he couldn't be sure, but that looked like Harry's name up at the top.

"Hey give that back!" cried Draco lunging at the redhead. But Ron slid easily out of his chair and stood in time to allow the Slytherin to miss him completely and end up sprawled on the floor. Ron scanned the parchment quickly, his cheeks beginning to burn as he read down the page.

"What's this about Malfoy?" he growled as he held the parchment in front of Draco's face and waved it about angrily.

Draco snatched it from him and rolled it up placing it in his pocket. He pushed himself off the floor and stood defiantly before the Gryffindor. "None of your business."

"Anything to do with Harry is my business," said Ron plainly.

Draco's smirk was accompanied by a derisive snort as he looked at Ron with disgust. "Well don't we have a big head. Harry's business is no one's but his own."

"You certainly don't seem to think so. Or you wouldn't be writing him letters like that."

Draco scowled. "I've had just about enough of your whinging Weasley. You should be thanking me. This will put Harry Potter back on the market. Isn't that what you want?"

Ron thought for a moment. It was what he had wanted. Everything seemed so lost and pointless yesterday when they'd seen Harry there with Neville. But if Draco's plan worked then maybe he still had a chance. But who was he willing to hurt to get that chance? Hermione had said Harry was happy now.

"No. That's not what I want. Not like this anyhow. And you wouldn't either if you really loved him," he said with conviction.

"God you're starting to sound like the mudblood," said Draco. Ron flinched automatically but let it slide as Draco continued. "This is your only chance Weasley, not that it matters what you think. I'm not about to sit around waiting for your blessing. Why the hell am I even talking to you?" Draco turned to leave, but once again found himself jerked back as Ron grabbed him tightly round the wrist. "Let go! Fuck, Weasley didn't your mum ever teach you to keep your hands to your--ow! Let go!"

"Nuh-uh. I'm not going to sit around and let you do that to Harry. He's still my friend you know," then grumbling to himself somewhat bitterly, "even if he did put me through hell and back." He looked back to Draco and frowned. "But he doesn't deserve to have you come in and ruin his thing with Neville." As Draco writhed in his hand to get away, Ron reached into the Slytherin's pocket and grabbed the parchment.

Draco smirked. "It's just a piece of paper. I can write another one."

"Then how about this? You write another one and then I'll break every bone in your body so that even a whole bathtub of Skele-grow won't be nearly enough. Okay?"

Draco jerked free from his grasp. "You don't scare me Weasley."

Ron sighed and looked at the parchment, carefully reading it over once again.

Dear Harry,

I am afraid our situation as it currently stands is unacceptable. Therefore I have taken it upon myself to rectify it, hopefully with your cooperation. I seem to recall a certain incident that occurred in the halls the other day of which I am quite sure Neville will be very interested to hear about. I'm sure you know to what I am referring. If you don't want me to tell Neville and break his poor innocent heart then you will break up with him on your own. It's your choice Potter. Either he finds out what you did with me, or you can let him down easy and still remain friends, and he'll never have to know and feel the kind of betrayal you put me through. I said once that I trust you Harry. I know you will make the right decision.

Love,

Draco Malfoy

"Malfoy, exactly what incident are you talking about?"

"Nothing," snapped Draco, broodingly rubbing his wrist.

"You can't blackmail Harry with nothing." Ron looked up at the boy icily.

Draco rewarded him with a wide smile as his eyes glinted with menace. "Well, if you must know, then I am glad to tell you. I kissed him."

Ron's jaw tensed. "So--so you really did kiss him twice." He fought to keep his breathing steady as the heat of anger crept slowly up his face in the form of a gentle blush. "How does that help you any? Neville's not going to care that you ambushed Harry in the halls and threw yourself at him."

"Ah, but the thing is, you see...he kissed back. He liked it very much. He had his hands all over me. He was kissing me and licking--."

Ron clenched his hands into fists at his sides and bit his lip. "Stop. Before I'm forced to kill you."

Draco chuckled. "Well you're the one who wanted to know. Poor Longbottom. And he has no idea his boyfriend, good, innocent Harry Potter would ever go around behind his back with another boy. I bet the shock will kill him. He won't be able to trust anyone ever again."

Ron shook his head. "You are evil Malfoy. I don't understand how it is Harry ever liked you."

Draco's face lit up with a delighted smile. "Ha, you admit it! Harry does like me!"

Ron cringed. Oh damn I did.

Draco watched him, the devious grin still plastered all over his face. Ron considered the blond for a moment and let his own countenance scrunch up in disgust. "Ugh...stop that Malfoy. I can't bear to see you so happy. Why must you be such a git?"

"Come on Weasley, you'd do the same thing in my position," said Draco, poking Ron in the arm with an elegant, accusing finger.

Ron glared at him and crossed his arms over his chest. "I am in your position, but you don't see me rooting you on do you?"

"There's no other way. You don't realize how much I need him," Draco slapped a hand over his mouth as if he'd just said something he wasn't supposed to divulge.

Ron raised an eyebrow at him. "I need him too. But I'd rather keep on needing him for naught than hurt him. Have you no shame Malfoy?"

"Of course not, I'm in love."

Ron had to assent to that. "I know how you feel," he mumbled staring down at the table. Draco looked at him oddly.

Ron turned to him. "Look Malfoy, I'm only saying this because I don't want to see Harry hurt, but did you think about how doing that to Neville is going to affect you? Harry might be free for the taking but he wouldn't so much as look at you. He'd hate you Malfoy. If you feel anything like I do then you would die if that happened. You may think you're impervious to things like guilt and remorse but I guarantee you'll be sorry if you hurt him. He will hate you. Do you really want that?"

"I hadn't thought about that." Draco frowned. Weasley was right. Harry would hate him. Shit.

"Just let it be. If they weren't meant to be together then it will end on it's own," said Ron with uncharacteristic wisdom.

Draco nodded slowly, wondering why Ron seemed to be dealing so well with the situation while he was not. That of course just made him angry but not quite to the extent that he would have expected. And they were having a conversation and the temperamental Gryffindor hadn't even laid a single finger on him yet. How odd. He looked up at Ron and cocked his head curiously. "Hey, do you realize we just--."

"No, don't say it. I don't think I could bare another great shock this week," said Ron, seemingly reading the Slytherin's thoughts.

Draco nodded his agreement.

Ron looked down at him with anxious cerulean eyes, glinting threateningly in the bright library lighting. "So what are you going to do?"

Draco bit his lip thoughtfully. "Well...nothing I suppose..."

Ron sighed in relief and nodded. "Good. I wasn't in much of a mood to beat anyone up right now."

Draco smirked. "Well, I guess there's a first for everything." Ron's lip quirked a bit. Draco raised an eyebrow and presented him with a perfect sneer as he confidently ran a hand through his blond locks. "Well then...see you around Weasel." He turned on his heal and swaggered off in his usual arrogant manner.

Ron stood and shook his head, slightly perplexed. "Weird."

He turned and held the paper up in his hands, gripping the middle, prepared to shred it to pieces, when a thought occurred to him. Harry would hate him. Harry would hate Malfoy. He swallowed, lowering the parchment and reading it over once more. He'd convinced Malfoy not to send it, but what if he himself did the deed. Ron licked his lips slowly, thoughtfully. It would fix so many things. It was so very tempting.

Harry would read the letter and of course break it off with Neville. He wouldn't want Neville to be hurt, so he would make up an excuse and end it amicably. Even if he was in love with the boy, Harry was just that kind of guy. And then who would he turn on? Why Malfoy of course.

A grin slowly formed on Ron's face. Harry would think Malfoy had sent it, and then he would hate him. Killing two birds with one stone. Then Harry would be free to love Ron at last, no distractions. Oh god it was too perfect. Ron swallowed heavily and folded the parchment up, placing it carefully in his pocket, and walked out of the library.

***

Harry looked up as the portrait swung open and a tall redhead passed quickly through the opening, heading towards the tower staircase.

Neville nudged his boyfriend and Hermione gave him a meaningful look. "Go talk to him Harry," she whispered.

Harry took a deep breath and nodded, only slightly comforted by the encouraging smiles of his friends. He rose from the couch and followed behind Ron, out of the common room up to their dorm. Harry shuffled nervously at the door for a moment before gaining his courage and finally stepping through. He found Ron standing by his bed looking at something.

"Er, Ron?"

Ron started and nearly toppled as he flung around. "What?!"

"Are--are you okay you seem a bit jittery."

Ron took in a deep breath and laughed nervously, casually stuffing something into his pocket. "Yeah, sorry. You surprised me. I didn't know anyone else was in here. Nothing wrong. Everything is perfect. Fabulous..."

Harry watched, puzzled as Ron rambled for a few more moments before calming down to stand silently, watching him with icy blue eyes.

"Okay if you say so Ron. Um, I was wondering if I could talk to you."

"Oh what about?" asked the redhead nonchalantly, trying to lean casually against the bed post but only managing to nearly tip over. He settled himself instead, on Harry's bed and gave him an odd smile. "Hmm?"

Harry's face had gone blank with confusion, but he quickly shook it off and went to sit down beside his friend.

"Hermione told me about yesterday."

Ron's throat tightened. He coughed unobtrusively and gave Harry a weak smile, encouraging the boy to continue.

Harry took a deep breath. "And well. I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I really am." He turned to face Ron and looked him in the eye. "Ron, you're my best friend. I never wanted to hurt you. You have to understand that I love you, but as a friend. I'd never give you up for anything but I can't love you like you want me to. You're my brother. You mean so much to me, and I don't want to lose you." He paused as he swallowed a shallow sob.

Ron sighed and took Harry's hand in his own. "It's okay Harry. I understand."

Harry's green eyes went wide. "You--you do?"

Ron laughed hollowly. "Of course. I know you love Neville and that's okay. I'm happy for you. All I've ever wanted was for you to be happy."

A tear slid down Harry's cheek and he brushed it away in embarrassment as a slight blush came to his features. "I--I...you have no idea how worried I'd been Ron. I thought that I'd hurt you all over again. You don't know how much I've missed you."

"It's all right Harry. Really everything is all right now. Don't worry."

Harry smiled up at him gratefully. This had gone a lot better than he'd expected. If it were going to be this easy, he'd have done it a long time ago. But something about Ron's manner seemed to be off. Why was he letting it go so quickly? Why had he forgiven him so fast? It wasn't like Ron at all. But he had his friend back and that was all that mattered.

They talked for a bit more about what they had been up to the past two weeks, about how Harry and Neville had got together, and about the things they had missed of each other's lives. Harry was still a bit tense. They hadn't gone over what had happened in immense detail and he wasn't looking forward to it. Hermione had advised him that it would be best if he didn't tell either Ron or Draco who he would have chosen had it not been for Neville. He agreed with her. But he hoped to god that Ron wouldn't ask him because frankly, he didn't know any way to let Ron down easy and he wasn't about to lie to him. And Ron thankfully didn't ask. Which also seemed odd. Not that Harry minded.

Ron's mind was a swirl with the new information and the thrill of being able to talk with Harry again. It had been hard to forgive him like that but he wouldn't be petty now, not when what he wanted was so close. He needed to smooth things over so that when he sent the letter, Harry would know that Ron would be there for him. And what was the big deal about forgiving him for choosing Neville if they weren't going to be a couple for much longer anyway. He smiled at his raven-haired friend as Harry was telling him something about the week's Quidditch practice, not particularly listening but just basking in Harry's presence.

Harry paused noticing his friend's airiness and looked at him warmly, his green eyes glinting with relief and joy. He smiled deviously at the redhead and poked him teasingly in the arm. "So you and Draco, you're not--."

"No! Of course not," Ron shoved Harry back playfully.

"Sure?" Harry grinned at him waggling his eyebrows.

Ron laughed. "Yeah, sure. He's a git."

Harry grinned. "I'm glad we're back Ron. I'm glad we're all right again."

"Me too."

Harry reached out and gave Ron a hug. Ron reached his hands around the other boy and returned it bending over slightly to bury his face in the crook between Harry's shoulder and neck, letting his nose graze through Harry's hair, taking in the smell and reveling in the soft tickling sensation. Mmm...Harry. Ron closed his eyes and tightened his grip.

"Er...Ron could you let go now?"

Ron jerked back, slightly embarrassed. "Sorry."

Harry smiled at him and shook his head. " 'S all right."

They talked a tad bit longer about nothing in particular until the others started to come in, nodding their approval at seeing Ron and Harry back together again. And as Ron sank down into his bed that night and drifted from consciousness, only lovely thoughts filled his head...Harry his, Neville and Harry just friends...lovely thoughts, so lovely...Harry hating Malfoy, and loving him at last...it was perfect. And soon it would all be true...

Thanks to: karina(yes, harry is rather inexplicable that way), eiknlng(me too, if i ever get there), SoulSister(thanks! nice to know some people are okay with it), opalgirlz(i wouldn't choose neville either, but then i'm not harry), anna(can't make any promises), loverwren(i know, i know...i feel the same way), bwaybaby79(draco's tough, he'll manage), gwen(lol...yes just another life lesson), Belle(they may not be pretty together, but it works...kinda), coriander(heh...thanks. reaction i was hoping for), CrystalStarGuardian(thanks, it does bite doesn't it. big star/hermione fan by the way, you're great!), ChibiWhiteFerret(it won't be a sad ending, not too sad anyway. and yeah, h/n squicks me out too), Penelope-Z(yes, yes i do believe we can. once ron has calmed down a bit), Myr(thank you! i try...), tenshi-chan(sorry, no hermione pairings here. But ron and draco? quite possibly), Jedi Cosmos(it's no trick i'm afraid. there was one big hermione/neville hint but then the rest were harry/neville. it really could have gone either way i think), James_Weasley(you know i'm starting to agree with you. this fic really does need some broomstick action ::snorts::..sorry...ron will be alright don't worry), talismanic(oh yes, yes they can. once ron comes to his senses. just wait and see. thanks for reviewing darkest day by the way. it's just excess angst i must expel in short story form so it doesn't leak into my other fics), Nan Williems(they don't find solace in each, not by a long shot. they may find a few other things in each other ::snorts::...damn i'm doing it again...don't mind me...), Mystica(hmm...things aren't going how i planned them. i think we'd have either a massacre or a really scary orgy if you put all those hormonal boys in a room with that much tension between them. not that i would mind seeing that...not at all...sequel...not really thinking about it. if i did a sequel it would end up h/d in an after hogwarts fic. the ending does leave it open for that if i ever have the time though. don't keep your hopes up), Demeter(i think they will, but then i'm only the writer...*g*), Meri015(i completely agree with everything you're saying. it's all true..it really is), Gryph Grin(well, another chapter...harry will definitely not off himself. neither will anyone else for that matter. not to worry. it will end up okay in the end. i can't stand sad endings even if i tend to write them at times, though this is not one of those times), josephine69(yes, how true it is! thanks!), veronica(thanks, yeah i know harry/neville is a bit odd. i myself am a staunch harry/draco person, not that it show in this fic. thanks again!), bcwizard(i'll have to see if i can find the time. i really do want to since i'm h/d at heart. we'll see.), jacey(oh boy, you're telling me...as you can see things have not been sorted out and the story keeps going. if you ask me, i think harry is settling and it was all about timing. he got with neville back when he still thought it was ron n' draco. and i think he might really love neville but also might feel guilty if he were to leave him. so yes he still feels he wants draco. he *did* kiss back the second time in the hall, but now you know why he stopped it before it got serious. and like i said to Nan Williems up there, ron n draco don't find solace in each other, but that doesn't mean they don't have a little pointless fun either. i agree there's no respect there and that doesn't change really...but well, i can't stand a completely unhappy ending with them being terribly alone. there's lots of potential for alt endings with this fic and i'm thinking about it. i really would like to write a sequel, because i have some idea how that would go, and it would end up h/d and explain the h/n situation as well as bring that good ol' ron and harry tension round again, but i don't know. wow...long reviews, deserve long replies. thanks for being so outraged. i would be too), Klee(i concur), Ines(ah dear Ines, i knew this would shock and appall you. i feel much the same way. as for an h/r alt ending, please do. send it to me and i'll be happy to beta it for you and post it. BSB chapter 3 will be out sometime this week if i have to die finishing it. thanks again!)

A/N#2: dear god. why will this story not end? will someone please tell me? egads...ron's gone off his rocker! he's certifiable...i don't like him like this at all. i don't know why i wrote it. but don't worry he'll be okay, i promise. just review and tell me you're as scared as i am and i'll feel better. next chapter is the last one. i'm sure of it...i can feel it. lucky number 13!