It Must Be Love

It Must Be Love

Chapter 6

The party continued. There were few people left in the room, and the constant red light glowed eerily on them. The music was as loud and fast as ever, but it sounded muffled and distant to Ron, as though he was listening to it underwater.

"Ron?"

Harry and Hermione were sat in the corner, a dozen empty bottles of alcohol lay at their feet. Despite the loud music and raucous laughter sounding around him, Ron heard the two as though they were right beside him, not halfway across the room.

People danced around him, blowing more ever-bouncing bubbles and throwing glitter. They all wore half masks. Suddenly, Ron heard Parvati's voice beside him.

"Forget her Ron, she's obviously forgotten you." Turning, Ron saw a girl with a pink fluffy mask covering her eyes. She held it up with a sparkling fuchsia stick, half covering her smiling lips with her hand. Her long pink dress robes shimmered in the light, and what he could see of her face was tinted red.

"Ron."

The girl began to laugh at him quietly. Trying to ignore her, he turned back to Hermione and Harry, who were now wearing masks as well. Harry's was black with dark blue feathers lining it, Hermione's was identical but in red and gold.

Parvati (who was still stood beside him), was steadily laughing louder, sounding cruel and sinister. He blinked at her in surprise before turning back to his two friends, who were now looking over at him, whispering to each other and laughing as they waved mockingly.

"Ron."

Scowling, Ron tried to move forwards towards them, but felt suddenly exhausted. His limbs were too heavy to move, and his feet seemed planted into the ground as he attempted to lift them. Parvati laughed harder. She was leaning in on him, he could feel the fluff from her mask tickling his ear. He tried raising his arm to push her away, but it refused to respond, and lay leaden by his side.

"Ron!"

He looked around in surprise. Harry had just called him. Hermione was on his lap and they both clutched Potentvodka bottles. She grinned at him beneath her mask, and together, she and Harry, laughing, raised their bottles to Ron, took a deep gulp, and then leant in to each other.

"RON."

Parvati was laughing harder. Ron looked around at her, only to realise Parvati was no longer standing there, it was a tall boy with a green and black mask. He lowered it, and there stood Malfoy, smirking at him sinisterly. He glanced over to the corner, then laughing, grabbed Ron's shoulder and pulled him round harshly.

"RON!"

They were now stood right in front of Harry and Hermione, who were kissing drunkenly, seemingly oblivious to their audience. Malfoy was shaking Ron's shoulder hard, laughing openly as he did so.

"RON!!!"

He looked around. Who kept calling him? It sounded like Harry, but Harry was in front of him, and was definitely too busy with Hermione to be calling. Ron was confused and anguished. Malfoy was still shaking his shoulder insistently and the voice, having started far away, was getting closer and louder.

"RON!!!"

How could Harry be calling when he was quite clearly too preoccupied breaking Ron's heart?

"RON!!!"

Why was everyone wearing masks suddenly? Where had they come from?

"RON!!!"

Why was Malfoy shaking him like that? How had he gotten into the common room?

"RON!!!"

Ron awoke with a start. It was dark, and it took a moment for him to remember where he was. Harry was leaning over him, his sleeve was tickling Ron's ear and he was shaking his shoulder and whispering his name forcefully. Ron pushed him off and sat up. The dormitory was almost in complete darkness, the only light came from the large square window at the end where the curtain had not been drawn all the way. It cast light on the curtains that covered the boys' beds, and Ron could distinctly hear Neville muttering about toads in his sleep. Everyone was asleep. It was obviously very late.

"What is it? I was sleeping," Ron muttered, stifling a yawn. Harry looked hard at him.

"Hermione's downstairs. She's alone. I think you should go talk to her." Ron stared at Harry furiously, but Harry stared back, perfectly composed.

"And why would I want to talk to her? I haven't so much as wished her a happy birthday tonight, but she still seems to have found some reason to be furious at me!" He cried, trying and failing to keep his voice down. Harry shushed him, then replied, "I know, but me and Ginny have spoken to her and - no let me finish Ron! Well we've spoken to her and she knows she shouldn't have blown up at you like that. She's sorry, but you should be too, and I know you are Ron, but you have to go and tell her. Please?" He finished pleadingly, looking imploringly at Ron, who was quite taken aback.

She's sorry? And I should be too? What for? For trying not to ruin our friendship? For going against all my feelings so that she can be happy? I don't think so, I'd rather her be happy and with someone else than be unhappy and with me

.

Harry looked at him, and knew what was going through his head. He sighed in defeat. "Well just think about it ok?" And he got off of Ron's bed and collapsed onto his, drawing the thick curtains around him.

Ron watched Harry's bed for a moment, then lay back onto his. He wasn't going to go. He couldn't. Not after watching her kiss Harry. Well... It had only been a dream, but it had hurt just as much.

Subconsciously, Ron had reached into his pocket and withdrawn the small black box. His hand traced the smooth golden writing, and he felt a warmth flow through his fingers as silver sparks erupted from the corner, flowing through the black until they disappeared into nothing. You have to go and tell her.

Looking down, Ron realised that the box was now lying empty by his side and he was fiddling with the jewellery. He brought it up to his eyes and watched it sparkle in the partial light for a moment before putting it away. Without thinking, Ron sat up and grabbed the box. He had risen so suddenly that it had nearly slipped off the side of the bed, but he had caught it and it was now safely in his right hand, whilst his left pushed him up. You have to go and tell her.

Ron began to stride purposefully towards the door, having no idea what he was going to do or say when he saw Hermione, all he knew was that he had to give her that present, he had to speak to her. Before he knew it, he was at the door and wrenching it open. He strode through it, into the light of the corridor, then made his way down the stairs, the door quietly closing itself behind him. You have to go and tell her.