rainbows
The walk back to his dorm was painfully silent. Everything was slowed down, and Ron felt extremely afraid. His hands were shaking, and his mouth was dry.
He knocked on the door, and with no answer, let himself in. No one else was there, except for one person. Hermione.
“You bloody fucking idiot!” She whispered, standing up from his bed and walking towards him. She threw her hands dramatically in the air.
“You ran? You ran, Ron?” She said, a little louder than her last one, as if she were afraid to curse.
“What else was I supposed to do? I don’t have the courage for that, Hermione. You can’t expect something big out of me. I’m not like that.” His eyebrows knitted together as he looked shamefully towards her.
“Okay. You have a point. But, you need to find him.” She instructed.
“You lost him?” Ron looked at her in confusion. “How did you lose him?”
“He ran off! Was I supposed to chase him, Ron? No! I wasn’t! That’s your job, not mine.” She handed him something.
“This is that map, right?” He asked her, unfolding it. “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.” He stated plainly, and it revealed itself to him.
“Now find him.” She told him once more. He shook his head.
“Won’t you help me?” He asked, pouting out his lip.
“Absolutely not! You are 14 years old, Ronald Bilius Weasley! Do it yourself.” She said sternly.
“Why do you have to know my full name like that?” He yelled at her as he opened the door and walked out.
He looked down at the map as he walked. His eyes scanned the page, carefully looking for Harry’s name.
The astronomy tower. Why was he there? Was he even supposed to be up there? Harry could be anywhere if he wanted to, unless Snape saw him there.
“Fuck.” Ron muttered under his breath. “Shit. Shit. Shit!” He repeated. He stood in the middle of the hall for a second, wondering his options.
He stood with his head in his hands, rubbing his eyes until he heard footsteps. His head snapped up, and he shoved the map into his pocket.
“Professor.” He nodded at Snape.
Snape stopped in front of him, and looked him up and down.
“Getting into any trouble, Weasley?” He asked, flicking his eyes to look into Ron’s.
“No sir.” He answered.
“You seem… nervous.” Snape noted. “Troubles with your girlfriend?”
“No.”
“Boyfriend?”
“No, sir.”
“Hm.” Snape began to turn and walk away. He stopped, and looked at Ron. “Potter asked about you. Asked me where you were.” He scoffed. “As if I would know.” With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Ron wondering once more.
His pace quickened as he realized that Harry did in fact care for him. While he knew Harry cared for him, as they were friends, he did not realize how much Harry had cared for him.
He stood at the door of the astronomy tower, having gotten there quicker than he had realized. The adrenaline had caused a speed slower than a run, but somewhat of a jog.
As he made his way up to where Harry was, he thought about what would say.
He thought of nothing, and he was there.
He saw Harry and suddenly everything was very quiet.
Harry was hunched over. His body was shaking, but not a sound was made. It was very clear that he was crying, but silently, as if to not alert anyone of his presence.
What was he truly supposed to say? There was not a thing he could say that would make everything better.
He ran, and it was selfish of him. It was stupid to do, but he was too afraid to face everything at that moment. And that was okay.
It was okay to run.
But it’s not okay for him to run forever. He had to face this now.
He gulped down, and prepared himself for the horrors.
“Harry?” He said and no longer could he avoid this.
Harry turned around and looked up at him. His eyes were filled with tears.
“Ron.” He said, his voice filled with joy. His eyes lit up.