As if it were yesterday, I remember the first time I stepped into the great hall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I remember standing behind a short, ginger haired boy and his friend, a black haired boy named Harry Potter. I know all about Harry Potter, obviously, but I couldn't seem to pull my eyes off his friend, Something Weasley, he seemed so kind, funny, and fiercely loyal.
I spent the beginning of the first year keeping my distance from them: I didn't want to be pushy or annoying - or come across as a Harry Potter fan girl. However, I eventually mustered up the courage to introduce myself to them during lunch one day. I stumbled on my words but Ron was looking at me with a slight smile and I relaxed, feeling confident. After that, we became good friends and we were together every chance we got.
In our second year, I took advantage of the fact that we had to find information on the chamber of secrets and subconsciously made efforts to get closer and closer to Ron: I spent a lot of hours with him in the library and common room. This boosted our friendship massively and showed how much we cared for one another, the thought of something happening to either of us helped to motivate us to discover the secrets of the chamber and the basilisk.
One day in our third year, we were in the library to have a private place discuss Sirius Black and his escape from Azkaban and hypothesise how he could have done it - and do some homework because of Hermione's persistence. I was engrossed in a fascinating herbology book (about the properties and adaptations of different plants) when Ron stood up and rather loudly excused himself to go to the bathroom. Harry and Hermione immediately jumped on this opportunity - it was very rare for it just to be us three - and asked me if everything was okay between Ron and I. Hermione told me that they been reluctant to say anything because they didn't want to pick sides if we stopped being friends.
Feeling nervous, I placed my book down and assured them, "Everything is great but I'm pretty sure I like Ron and I really don't want to ruin the friendship between us because it means a lot to me, so I shouldn't say anything, right?"
Harry seemed to be a bit astonished but Hermione, being Hermione, remarked, "oh of course! It was so obvious. Why didn't I think about that?"
I smiled awkwardly at the duo and Harry and I both shook our heads at Hermione's comment. Thankfully, Ron returned before anything else was said and we went back to silence; I moved my face so that my book was covering my face to hide how red I had gotten.
Four years later we left everything we knew and loved behind and spent what would have been our final year at Hogwarts on the run and on the hunt for horcruxes. We were having a rough couple of weeks because we had a horcrux but didn't know how to destroy it, so we took turns wearing it so we knew where it was at all times. Ron was particularly nasty when he had it on and he was so horrible to us; we always tried to remember that it was the horcrux speaking not him but it was so difficult to not yell at him.
One day we all had such a vicious argument that he left, Hermione tried her hardest to comfort me but she knew that the only way that I would feel better is if I saw Ron again. The argument we had kept me up at night and plagued me in the mornings. I began to neglect breakfast and would only eat small amounts in the evenings. In most of my waking moments, I was researching everything that could possibly help us on our quest to find the horcruxes - I came up empty but it was something to do, something to distract me.
Thankfully, my prayers were answered and one cold morning I heard Ron's heavy footsteps coming towards us; he was talking to someone - Harry - and then they were coming through the tent door. I was suddenly livid and wanted nothing more than to show Ronald Weasley just how angry I was at him for leaving. Harry and Hermione gave us space so I swore and screamed at him - trying to hold back tears - until my throat was so hoarse that it hurt to speak.
He didn't say anything but walked up to me and hugged me tightly, he whispered in my eye, "I'm sorry I left, Y/n. I know I hurt you but I promise I'm never leaving again."
I mumbled into his chest, my words barely audible, "you'd better not."
After our lovely little reunion, we heard a noise and came face to face with some smugglers. We all ran through the forest but I was tripped and landed on my face - the smuggler chasing me was quick to strip me off my wand and pull me up. I was taken to a clearing, where Ron, Harry, and Hermione were, and then we apparated to a large mansion, hidden slightly by fog.
My heart stopped when I realised where we were. Malfoy Manor.
Once inside, Bellatrix separated me from everyone else and ordered the trio to be thrown into the dungeon. Ron was furious and began scuffling with the person holding him - to no avail.
I was still being held by the smuggler when Bellatrix walked over to me and held her wand up to my neck and whispered, "you're a blood traitor, i'm gonna have some fun with you."
My body froze as I was dragged by the hair into the middle of the room: I was too afraid to do anything. Bellatrix began toying with me and pretended to use the cruciatus curse, I finally managed to move and flinched away from her each time - this earned a laugh from everyone.
I knew things were going to change for the worst when everyone bar Bellatrix, Wormtail, and the Malfoys. Avoiding eye contact, I stood up straight and showed everyone that I wouldn't go down without a fight. Something seemed to suddenly change in Bellatrix and she ran at me, yelling crucio as she did. A massive, searing pain ran through my body and I felt all my nerves light on fire and freeze. At that moment I wanted nothing more than to die, in seconds I was writhing on the floor in pain and tried to move away.
As the affects from the curse started to wear off, a different burning appeared on my right forearm. I moved my head slightly to find Bellatrix leant over it, she was carving something. Behind her, I saw Ron, his face contorted with rage: he sprinted at us and tackled her to the ground, he punched her and grabbed her wand then ran back over to me. Harry and Hermione had begun a fight with the others to distract them.
After the fight, we all apparated to Shell Cottage and I was taken straight to a bedroom to rest. I was left alone for a while to sleep but I couldn't switch my mind off and instead stared out the window. Everything was circling through my mind when I heard a knock on the door. The trio was stood there, waiting for my permission to come in. We were all sat with each other for an hour or so when Harry and Hermione suddenly excused themselves and left Ron and I alone.
Ron grabbed my hand and, with a shake in his voice, told me, "I was so worried about you, Y/n. I was so angry and scared for you. I'm so sorry I didn't protect you."
"You couldn't have done much against you-know-who's most loyal follower, and anyway, you did. You stopped Bellatrix hurting me anymore."
He just shook his head, "No, I should've done something sooner. I just... I like you, like a lot, y'know? Seeing and hearing you like that was the worst thing I have ever been through, I can't even imagine what you feel like but..." He took a deep breath, "I can't go another day without letting you know how much you mean to me."
I smiled slightly, "I like you too, Ron... like a lot."
His face lit up and he moved to hug me but hesitated. I noticed, "It's okay. You can hug me."
Wrapping me up tightly, I breathed him in and tried to remember the feeling I had at that moment. I didn't want to let go. Everything became so overwhelming but Ron whispered into my ear, "It's all okay now, I've got you."