If Rarry were to happen in cannon
If you were charged with writing a Ronarry rewrite, what small changes would you make from canon without changing the overall story? When would their first kiss be? Would they still date girls (Cho and Lavender)? When would they first realise they felt something for one another?
There would have to be a few changes, yeah. I think the main changes would be I would remove the Romione big moments of obvious romance.
I suppose the real question is when Harry would realize he feels more for Ron than just friendship/brotherhood. Would he be clueless, or would he realize it sooner given how he’s exposed to Ron all the time?
So in book 4 is when romance finally seems to be hitting them all- so I suppose that’s when Ron might first start noticing Harry and visaversa- but it’s the 90s and being bi or gay then, as a teen, was not an easy thing in the muggle world at least. Would it be easier in the Wizard world? Perhaps, given how they don’t seem to be as hung up over things like gender roles in the workplace, religion, and moral debates like that over what muggles are debating. I think the main negative response to Bi/gayness would be backlash from purebloods on how that would make them unable to have pureblood progeny. But that’s about it.
So back to the moments I think that would develop.
I think they would have a good time at the yule ball- as they’re just dating a pair of sisters and are essentially at the ball together anyways- so there wouldn’t be that sort of yule brawl atmosphere found int he books. I think their interest in other partners would be a little less intense and more ‘we’re supposed to be interested in them, yeah? Might as well explore it.’
So I see Ron encouraging Harry in his pursuit of Cho- but him being way more rude to/about Cho when he sees the reality of Harry and her together. Hermione would take note of this, and be much like she was about Hinny in the books- she’d be keenly watching with avid interest.
He’d look upset when Harry is describing kissing Cho, and from then on D.A. would be hard on Ron and Harry, as Ron would get more and more tense when Harry and Cho are doing things. He’d be so relieved when they finally break up- and not able to full acknowledge he likes Harry like THAT. Fifth year Harry is a bit out of it due to his PTSD from the graveyard- so it’s not until 6th year that he really starts realizing just how he feels about Ron.
That summer Ron is looking the best he ever has, even with his jeans being a full two inches too short now that he’s even taller. When he hugs Harry, a blush and feeling of contentment forms for Harry as his much taller friend’s arms are wrapped around him.
Harry begins to feel Ron’s absence very keenly when off with prefects, and Luna says something about it in her oh so Luna way. That’s when it clicks. Oh no… He likes Ron… Oh NO…
At school Hermione is giving her little ‘Harry’s never been so fanciable’ speech, and Ron can’t help but agree. But also worried Hermione is interested in Harry too. And of course Harry would chose Hermione over HIM. His friend has always been good looking, but right now Ron’s finding it harder and harder to keep intruding thoughts of wanting to kiss his friend out of his head when they two of them are having quiet moments just the two of them. But why would Harry ever want to be with Ron? He has his pick of any person in the castle. He’s a hero, and Ron’s just… Well, Ron.
Things are chugging along with Harry going utterly mad with distraction at Ron, while Ron is feeling much the same way. Quidditch is being a bitch for Ron as usual, but then he has the best day ever when Harry puts felix felicis into his potion. He can do ANYthing and it will go well.
He’s able to save anything, the weather is suddenly great- he could do anything at all with this potion in his veins. And after the game he and Harry are alone for a bit and he’s so happy, and Harry looks so pleased with him- and before he knows it he’s kissing Harry. It’s his first kiss, and even though it’s a bit clumsy, and he’s suddenly worried- Harry kisses him back and it’s the most amazing thing he’s ever experienced.
‘This isn’t just luck, is it?’
‘I didn’t use the potion. It was all you.’
He and Harry are a thing from then on, and it’s beautiful and pure and sweet and passionate- until Dumbledore’s death. Harry realizes that he can’t send Ron off from the Horcrux hunt- but he also can’t be involved with him when they have this incredibly serious thing to pursue. They decide to put off their relationship. The 7 Potter scheme is that much harder for him when Ron, his person, is putting hismelf in danger. When Ron is splinched, Harry feels barely sane. The horcrux convinces Ron that Harry doesn’t love him- Harry could have anyone, and broke up with him- and he and Hermione are awfully close. So when Harry says to leave- Ron does. When he comes back and saves Harry- the horcrux reveals much the same thing as in canon- only this time it’s Harry saying he’d never be interested in Ron- at least not long term. After the horcrux is destoryed Harry tells him Hermione is nothing but a sister to him and that it’s Ron he loves- and they kiss with passion- they’ll always be together… some other things might change- but in general they have a sweet bautiful love of total understanding- Harry might have to remind Ron how much he values him more often that Harry would naturally- and Ron might have to bring Harry out of himself with a kiss and some quidditch- but the two are able to be quite contented with eachother.