Life After Living

Chapter Eight

We'll be friends now and forever

And I swear that I'll be there come what may

When the night is dark and stormy

You won't have to reach out for me

~ I Will Come to You, Hanson

Ron Weasley had come to a rather startling conclusion.

The clouds had come in silence, in the darkness, as the hours passed. There was a large oak in the backyard of 12 Grimmauld Place. It towered above the house and was quite thick around. It creaked and groaned as the wind moved around it, sending torn leaves to the ground. Ron was lost in the sound of the rustling leaves. He never noticed the dark thunderclouds rolling in until the world burst into light around him. Mere moments later, startling him further, thunder clapped above. In a matter of only seconds the skies opened and sent torrents of rain to the ground. He was drenched.

He looked up at the sky, the rain catching in his eyes. He shivered as the wind pelted the rain at him. "I suppose I could go inside," he mumbled to himself. He escaped into the dry drawing room. Remus Lupin simply glanced up as Ron burst in.

"Ron. I didn't know you were out there."

"Yeah," was all Ron answered. He was dripping on the rug beneath his feet. "Good night."

"Good night." Remus watched him leave with a hint of amusement.

Ron made his way up the stairs, his wet shoes squeaking on the wood. He had to grip the rail to keep from slipping. Harry looked up from his seat on the bed, startled, as Ron appeared in the doorway, thoroughly soaked. Rivers of water streamed down from his hair and onto his face. The drenched red hair looked auburn. Harry couldn't help the chortle that escaped his throat. "You look pathetic."

"Hmm. Funny. I don't remember asking for your opinion." Ron scowled as he closed the door and snatched his towel up from off the floor.

Harry huffed. "I really have ruined everything, haven't?"

"Yes." Harry's jaw dropped, letting a gasp escape. "For the third time since we've met you've taken my life and shredded it, letting the pieces flutter in the wind."

"Third... time?" Harry was totally befuddled.

Ron counted on his fingers, still dripping all over the floor. "When we first met, the second task of the Triwizard Tournament, and that... that third thing.

"Harry, don't you understand?"

"No, Ron, I can't read your mind. I'm hardly astute and certainly not omniscient." Ron let out an exasperated growl, gripping the hair on both sides of his head.

"I just don't have the right words in my vocabulary to explain this to you." Ron sighed.

"I have never been more confused in my entire life," Harry stated. He shook his head a little, staring in awe at Ron.

"Good. Then you know where I'm at right now."

Harry's looked hardened. "What are you confused about?" And then something seemed to dawn on him. Ron nearly cheered. "Oh." Harry sat up fully, placing his feet on the floor. "Oh." He looked around, searching for something to fidget with. Ron rolled his eyes. "Then you're not disgusted?" Harry didn't look at him.

"No."

"So there's a possibility that I didn't make a complete fool out of myself."

"Possibly."

A drop of water splattered on the ground next to Harry's foot, causing him to look up. Ron stood only a few feet from him. "Is there anything else you need to tell me?" Harry stood.

Ron rolled his eyes up a bit in mock thought. He looked back at Harry. The latter waited. Ron stepped a foot closer. "All I know is that you've changed my world again, made me see things I didn't see before."

"And is that a bad thing?"

"That I haven't figured out yet." It was Harry's turn to step closer, bringing them only a foot apart from each other. Their eyes were locked. Ron let out a hesitant breath. "Every part of me is screaming at me that I shouldn't be feeling the things I'm feeling. I'm scared to death."

"If it helps, I'm scared, too." Ron nodded a little. They both had been reduced to whispers. They were close enough that Ron swore he could hear Harry's heart beating. Though, perhaps it was his own that he heard. "Are you sure about this?"

"Not at all. I have no idea what I'm doing." Harry made a thoughtful noise and Ron stepped closer. "Harry?"

"Hmm?"

"This is going to change things."

"It's too late, Ron. They've already changed."

"Yes." Ron found his eyes breaking contact from the seas of green to travel only inches downward to the seas of red. "Yes, I suppose they have." Ron was sure he heard a girly scream in the back of his head as he leaned forward ever so slightly.

Harry, ever the impatient one, bridged the gap between he and Ron and smashed his lips against the other boy's. Ron would have let out a gasp had his mouth not been attached to Harry's. He followed Harry's lead, doing what felt natural, and moving his lips against his friend's. A hand found its way into his dripping hair. In almost the same instant that their bodies crashed together, Harry jumped away with a yelp, breaking all contact. A whine escaped Ron before he could help it. "You're soaked!"

Harry's front was now damp as well. "Yes," Ron responded. "And it's true: you do lack in the astuteness department." Harry blushed. Ron loved it. Ron moved closer again, but Harry stepped away.

"Maybe you should dry off first." Harry cracked a grin.

"I am kind of cold." Ron laughed. "Okay. I'll be right back." Ron grabbed his towel from where it had dropped and a clean pair of pajamas. He smiled shyly and rushed out of the room.

Harry collapsed on the bed, burying his face in a pillow. After letting out a muffled moan, he rolled over. He was in the same position when Ron returned, dressed in his pajamas and dry from the drying spell cast on the door of the bathroom. Ron smiled, closing the bedroom door. He crawled up the bed and held himself above Harry. Harry tucked a piece of Ron's hair behind the redhead's ear. "Do we really want to do this?"

"Don't you?" They were whispering again.

"God, yes." Ron bent down and pressed his lips against Harry's. It was gentle and unobtrusive. Breaking the kiss, Ron laid down next to Harry. They faced each other, Harry running his fingers through Ron's hair.

"It's weird," Harry said. "But I think you're a better kisser than Cho. Granted she only kissed me the once and it was mostly one-sided. Is that weird?"

"Really?" Ron snorted. "And no, it's not weird. Well, considering I've never done it before."

"You haven't?" Harry asked, surprised.

"Harry, you know I would have told you straight away, had I ever kissed anyone. You'd be the first person I'd tell."

"Well, yes. I'd assumed." Harry paused. "That's good to know."

Ron smirked. "Harry, I must tell you!"

"Yes, Ron?"

"I've had my first kiss!"

"Have you?" Harry was beaming now. Ron felt the happiness rush over him in waves. He hadn't seen Harry smile like that since... it'd been a very long time. "How was it then?"

"Oh. Well, it was weird at first, but eye-opening."

"And the second?"

"Hmm. That one was a little wet, but certainly better than the first one."

Harry laughed. "And the third?"

"Better still."

"And the fourth?" Harry was grinning wickedly.

"I'll let you know." Ron pulled Harry towards him. He took off Harry's glasses and tossed them aside. They kissed, lightly at first and then it deepened. Harry was unsure of what he knew, having only seen how people on television kissed (watching over Dudley's broad shoulders,) but he tried his best. He let his tongue brush against Ron's lip and was very pleased when he felt Ron's respond. He slid his tongue against Ron's and let out a soft moan. Encouraged, Ron deepened the kiss even more, intertwining his fingers in Harry's hair.

They fell asleep entangled with each other. Harry was snuggled against Ron's chest and Ron held him as tight as possible without suffocating him.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Ron watched Harry sleep. The dark-haired boy slept soundly, snoring lightly and only every so often. Ron smiled at the sleeping boy. He'd woken to find that Harry had rolled away from him in their sleep. He didn't mind, as much as he craved the feel of the other against him.

Sitting outside until the rain had come, Ron had had a lot of time to sort things out in his head. His most startling revelation was that he was not, in fact, disgusted that Harry had kissed him. It was truly baffling. Rationally, he would have equated being kissed by a boy to eating slugs; something he knew for a fact was rather disgusting.

But he didn't feel that way. He had then tried to determine why it was so. There was nothing that he could look back on, (for his part,) that made him think that he had felt anything for Harry before. It had, honestly come out of nowhere that he now felt the way he did. Certainly, that was possible.

He had been on a path, needless to say. A path that was leading him down a particular road with a very particular person, yet for the life of him, Ron couldn't imagine continuing on that road. Harry had, as he'd told the boy later, made him see things he hadn't seen before. Ron had feelings for Harry. They had morphed into very peculiar, but definite feelings. Everything else seemed to have ceased to matter.

Ron was no longer considering what was wrong about him being with Harry, but what was right about it. They needed each other. It seemed only natural that their relationship advance to the next level. A deep friendship had turned to love. Who was to question it?

Finally feeling his tiredness weigh upon him, Ron snuggled back underneath the covers and up against Harry. Harry turned and put an arm around Ron. The latter was asleep in no time, but the former was now wide-awake.

Harry was still watching Ron sleep when the first light of morning flitted in. The storm had calmed, but he could still hear the soft patter of rain against the window. He was overwhelmed by the onslaught of new emotions he was feeling. To make it worse, there was a warm feeling overcoming his body and magnifying his senses. The arm that was draped over Ron was not enough. He wanted so badly to touch every part of Ron. He knew it was natural to feel that way but it didn't disturb him any less.

He needed a shower. He slipped out of the bed, grabbing his glasses from off the floor, and rushed to the bathroom. Hands placed firmly against the tiles, he let the water run over his head and down his body in icy sheets. He tried to pinpoint the exact moment when he had started feeling more than friendly towards Ron. It seemed to him that he had always felt that way. Why hadn't he noticed?

His teeth were chattering before he realized what he was doing. He shoved the tap, turning the water off. He sat down on the edge of the tub letting the icy numbness fade. He slipped back into his pajamas and quickly stepped out of the bathroom, avoiding the drying spell. Ron was sitting up in bed when he returned to the room. Ron smiled as he entered. Harry felt a flutter in his chest. He sat down on the edge of the bed and Ron ran a hand down his arm.

"Blimey, Harry, you're freezing! What did you do, take a cold shower?" Harry bit his lip. Ron's eyes widened. Harry's teeth were still lightly chattering. "Come here you crazy git." Ron laughed and pulled Harry into his arms. "What were you thinking?"

"I uh, um... It was a hot flash." Harry wrapped his arms around Ron's waist in an attempt to get as close to the boy's body heat as possible. Ron tipped Harry's chin up and their eyes met.

"Harry, you're not having second thoughts about this, are you?"

"Of course not!" Harry sat up. "I just... I don't..." Ron shushed him, placing his fingers on Harry's lips.

"If this is going to be something, let it be something."

"I was afraid you'd be disgusted," Harry admitted. Ron pulled Harry back into his arms, setting his chin on the top of Harry's head.

"Don't worry about anything like that ever again." Harry snuggled closer. "Hey, stop trying to steal all my body heat."

"I can't help it. I'm freezing."

"And whose fault is that?"

"Initially yours really."

"How is it my fault?"

"You're so damn sexy." Ron burst into laughter without hesitation. Harry raised his head, smiling. He caught Ron's lips in his own, forcing him down onto the pillows. Ron didn't fight it in the least, letting Harry's weight rest on top of him. They were both warming up quite a bit. Ron started laughing again shaking both of them. Harry broke away. "Stop it!" But he was laughing himself. They stayed entangled, laughing, as the light outside grew brighter.

"Harry?" Ron asked later, Harry's head resting on his shoulder. Harry made a questioning noise. "Would you be upset if I said I wanted to keep this between us for a little while?"

"Of course not," Harry answered. "I'm not ready to be open about it. I mean, I want to be with you, I just don't--"

"I feel the same way."

"Good." Harry played with the hem of Ron's nightshirt. "It'd be the same if you were a girl. I mean, I don't want to be public with anyone right now. It's just not safe."

There was a long silence followed by, "Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think they'll notice?"

"Who?"

"Everyone." Ron paused "Do you think they'll notice a difference?"

"I don't know. I guess we'll see. I mean, if we act normal then I don't see how they would notice anything." Harry lifted his head. "That means no eyeing of the merchandise while around others."

Ron let out a snort of laughter. "The same goes for you, then."

"We should probably move the beds back. Your mum might get suspicious."

"Yeah. You're right."

Harry snuggled back against Ron. "Do you think Hermione will notice?" Ron stiffened considerably. After a prolonged silence, "Ron?"

"There's something that I should probably tell you, Harry." Harry sat up fast. Ron looked up at him. "The thing is, Hermione and I, well..."

"Are together?" Harry looked away. "I thought there was something going on between the two of you."

"We're not together, Harry," Ron said quickly. "I mean to say, that Hermione and I have been owling a lot this summer and..." Harry waited as patiently as possible. Finally, Ron continued. "I asked her what she would think if I asked her to be my girlfriend when she arrived. This was before us happened, though."

Ron could see that Harry was devastated even though he wasn't looking at him. "I see. And what did she say?"

"She seemed really excited and alluded to the fact that she wouldn't say no. She's going to be curious when I tell her I don't feel the same way about her anymore." Harry's eyes snapped back to Ron. "I can't be her boyfriend if I'm in love with you." The devastation melted away from Harry. "It wouldn't be right to string her along like that."

Harry could honestly say that he hadn't given a thought to Hermione since he had first kissed Ron. It had seemed as though Ron and Hermione were fated to be together. "She's been in love with you a long time." Harry glanced away again. "She's going to hate me."

"And me," Ron answered.

"Are you really in love with me?" Harry asked shyly.

"Completely." Harry bent down and kissed Ron. Ron pulled him down to rest beside him.

"I'm in love with you, too."

"Well, I should hope so!" Ron laughed. They lay there a while longer exchanging saliva with giggles and the occasional moan. Harry erupted into a fit of giggles at one point and Ron tried hard not to join him, failing miserably.

"We should probably get up. Move the beds back, you know." Harry groaned but nodded. They got up and Ron moved to pull his bed away from Harry's. He gasped as Harry's bed moved away from his without a hand touching it. "How did you do that?"

Harry shrugged. "I've been doing stuff like it all summer. I repaired the pillows with a wave of my hand. I just will it and it happens."

Ron glanced at his bed and looked as if he were concentrating hard. "Weird."

"I'm not sure, but..." Ron looked at Harry. "I think it might have something to do with Voldemort--" Ron tried not to cringe, "--taking over me at the Ministry of Magic."

"More of his powers transferring to you or something?"

"I don't know. It could just be coincidence. This could be an ability I've had for a while."

There was a knock on the door and they both turned. "Yeah?" Ron asked. The door swung open, both of them expecting to see Mrs. Weasley standing there. However, their eyes widened, suddenly very glad that they had removed themselves from each other's arms and separated the beds.

"Hermione!"