Harry knew Ron was going to be his best friend the moment they locked eyes at Kings Cross.
Ron has been there through all of Harry’s biggest moments. He stayed when Harry went after Snape, he stayed when Harry went after the basilisk, and he stayed when Harry was constantly depressed due to the dementors. That was why it was so hard to comprehend that Ron wouldn’t stay with him through this.
The TriWizard Tournament was one of the deadliest school tournaments to ever exist. It consisted of three separate events which all tested the character and survival instinct of the competitors.
Harry had run into a lot of situation on his own volition, but this? This was not one of them.
“How’d you do it then?” Harry snapped his head toward his best friend. He was exhausted and nauseous but he fought it down.
”How did I do what..?” Harry asked, pulling his shirt over his head and changing into his pyjamas.
Ron scoffed. “Do what, he says,” the tone was mocking and full of vitriol. “How did you get yourself into the tournament, obviously.”
Harry slowly turns to face Ron, unbelieving that Ron could possibly be so easily manipulated by the student populace and their worthless gossip. “I didn’t…Someone entered me without my permission,” Harry prays to every deity he knows that his best friend doesn’t push him any further. The night was already a disaster, he couldn’t stand to put up with Ron’s baseless accusations.
Ron scowled. “There isn’t any reason to lie, mate. Wish you would’ve told me, though. Bit of a shock that was,” he was clenching his fists around the covers of his bed.
Harry stomped over to Ron. “What the bloody hell are you on about?!” Ron ignites with anger, sitting up to face Harry head on.
“I’m your best friend! Couldn’t have thought to share the glory, huh, too preoccupied with your own fame and money!?” Harry flinches. It was a few years ago that Harry crawled into bed beside Ron wearing his cousin’s hand me downs.
Harry fidgeted with his pyjama sleeved. “Can I tell you a secret?”
Ron nodded. “Anything.”
”I don’t care about the fame or the money,” Harry bit his lip, hoping no one hears him being so ungrateful. “I’d much rather have a family like yours.”
Ron has frowned. “But my family is poor?”
Harry nodded. “I wouldn’t care though. I’d just be happy to be surrounded by people I love who love me in return,” he looked up at Ron who was still frowning. “I used to pray to God that one day I’d wake up and my mum and dad would be there with my siblings and they’d take me far, far away,” Harry’s eyes turned wistful.
”who’s God?” Ron asked.
”I’m not entirely sure. Aunt Petunia used to talk all about him though. She said that God could grant even the most impossible of requests,” but never to freaks, Harry didn’t add.
“Ron I don’t want this. Stop being stupid,” Harry climbs into his bed, shutting off the light.
Ron glares something fierce. “Yeah that’s me, Harry Potters stupid friend.”
Harry frowns. “You know I don’t think tha-“
Ron turns his back to Harry, sending a clear message.
Harry pretends like he doesn’t feel the tears that start to gather in his eyes.
————
Ron Weasley has been jealous of Harry Potter ever since he met him. He loved Harry like a brother. Harry understood him and never underestimated how smart or powerful Ron is. that doesn’t mean that Ron wasn’t bitterly angry every time Harry got attention or praise.
Ron was in a family of 9. It was hard to get attention when there were so many around you aiming for the same thing. Ron wanted to be head boy but Bill beat him to it. Ron wanted to be prefect but Percy beat him to it. Ron wanted to be quidditch captain but Charlie beat him to it. No matter what Ron did there would always be someone before him who had already achieved it.
Ron knew he was being unreasonable. Harry was brilliant and didn’t deserve a second of Ron’s misguided anger but he couldn’t help it. Harry was going to get more glory even after everything.
Ron glares something fierce. “Yeah that’s me, Harry Potters stupid friend.”
He doesn’t wait to hear what Harry has to say, turning away from him and ignoring the tears that gathered in his eyes.