Calm before the storm
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Perhaps he'd always known, the burning flutter he would get in his chest when he went to quidditch matches and saw his idols drenched in sweat, the subtle attraction, the repulsive feeling when girls would make moves against him. Perhaps Ron has always known he swung that way. Despite his feelings, he couldn't help but he repulsed by himself over the years when he caught himself staring at Harry changing just a little too long, or when he would be last to leave the changing rooms just to avoid having men he admired look at him change. They were all men of course, why should it matter if he was half nude? Ron just couldn't stomach the fact he was so unattractive compared to all the people he changed with, he can't imagine what he looks like with clothes on, let alone half naked.
And so here he was, sitting on his four poster bed, picking at a scab on his forearm. He was deep in thought, just today he went to watch Victor krum train, he wasn't the only one but he couldn't help how guilty he felt when he pants started becoming tight. It was natural if course, he was a growing teenage boy, but to think he got a hard on just by watching krum's body trembling for breath was mortifying to him.
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When Ron awoke, his ears were flooded with the familiar sound of birds chirping outside. Ron groaned and rolled to his side, slightly crushing his arm. His tired eyes scanned over the room, the only thing that had changed from last night was his best friend harry making a lump on the bed from his body under his quilt. Ron and Harry had made up after the first task, Ron had realized he was being ridiculous and apologized to him. Although hesitant at first, harry couldn't help but accept his apology, they had been friends for over three years of course. Ron felt a bit more content now that he and Harry were friends again but he couldn't help but feel something nagging at him in the back of his mind.
harry knew Victor was one of Ron's celebrity crushes but what would he think of he found out just how much Ron adored him. Ron felt conflicted inside that he liked Victor, not just because he was a guy but also because he was Harry's opponent. Despite homosexuality not being as taboo in the wizarding world as it was in the muggle, it was still a stigma topic to discuss and queer people being discriminated occasionally wasn't uncommon. Therefore, like most families, Molly and Arthur taught their kids growing up that homosexuality wasn't accepted In their house.
Ron wasn't too sure what they meant by that because he knew that his parents would never kick out any of their children no matter the circumstance.
Shrugging these nagging thoughts from his head, Ron slipped out of his bed with a groan and a stretch. He slightly grimaced at the clicks his back made. He sighed in relief and got changed quickly before his roommates awoke.
The red on his uniform made his ginger hair look more fiery than it usually did in the mirror. He adjusted the hand-me-down robes he was wearing and yawned, looking away from the mirror. He carefully closed the door behind him with a soft click and dragged himself down the stairs to claim his regular spot. Most griffindors celebrated late into the night for Harry's win, as did the other houses for their champions.
Ron was soon joined on the sofa by Hermione, who enthusiastically greeted him. They slipped into a calm and easy conversation. "Have you worked on the potions essay yet Ron?" Hermione asked with a smile, the smile was short lasting though as silence filled the common room. ron sheepishly grinned and scratched his head, his silence was a very simple indicator that he infact, did not complete the essay."Ron!" Hermione exclaimed with a frown. Hermione just slumped further into the sofa and sighed.
"When will I drill it into your idiotic Brain that studying and completing work is essential!" Hermione grumbled. Despite her annoyed behavior she didn't harbour any actual anger at him, only annoyance, so it wasn't a surprise when they slipped into a comfortable silence. Eventually the common room started slowly filling with people as more and more griffindors woke up. Soon enough, Ron and Hermione's silence was interrupted by harry plopping onto the sofa next to Ron.
"Good morning harry" Hermione said happily. "Yeah good morning mate" Ron jumped on.
It was easier for Ron and hermione to go back to normal because the area of conflict was mainly Ron and Harry, so for Ron he was still slightly awkward with harry. Ron felt his face morph into a sad smile as he looked at Harry who continued the pleasantries. Ron felt guilt slowly seep into his head again, he couldn't help but feel apologetic for leaving his best friend like that, thankfully, harry didn't seem to mind so much anymore.
"Let's go get breakfast yeah?" Harry said with a yawn, his face was a clear reminder that the tournament was probably taking a ton out of him. After completing the first task, harry was stuck having to figure out what the golden egg was for, so the dark circles under his eyes clearly reflected his stuck situation. Harry clothes were also a bit shabby as he just threw the first thing he found on. His shirt was all crinkled and his cloak had a small stain on it. Hermione shook her head at his shabby appearance and messy hair. With a flick of her brown wand she cast a cleaning spell on his clothes but then just frowned." Nothing I can do with that unruly hair of yours." Hermione tutted and shook her head again. Ron found humor in that and had to hold his hand over his mouth to stifle a laugh, he found it quite amusing how Hermione was lecturing harry on his hair before doing something about her own.
The trio walked to the great hall in small talk and Ron couldn't help but feel happy that his friends were back to normal, for now anyways.