A/N: Ron finds Romilda crying in the common room after his little episode in the Hospital Wing. Ron/Romilda. AU. Set in HBP. RxR. FxF.

Submission for:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments): Speed Drabble - 'Are you crying?', 'Unhappiness is for the weak', fractured, Ron/Romilda

The "As Many As You Want" Competition: Honeydukes, long winter, Madame Pompfrey, Valentine's Day, Easter

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Ron stepped through the portrait hole, his shoulders heavy from such an exhausting day. Classes had felt longer than usual and he was still a bit groggy from his stay in the Hospital Wing, but he couldn't take another second with Madame Pomfrey and her coddling nature. He didn't know where his friends were at the moment, but Ron wasn't worried. Harry was probably somewhere with Dumbledore and Hermione was probably in the library as usual. Lavender was surprisingly absent, but he hadn't gotten the chance to find out why yet.

He stretched a bit as he walked fully into the room, loving the warmth against his skin. It was nice to be near a fire, and it reminded him of home. It seemed to be a long winter for the castle and was actually very drafty for March. It was getting close to Easter holiday, something he was happy for as well.

He looked over to the fireplace and noticed something odd. There was a small girl there, her face turned into the couch, soft sounds muffled by the cushions. He walked over to her slowly and placed a hand on her shoulder. Her head sprung up suddenly, her eyes meeting his.

"Are you crying?" he said, mentally berating himself. Of course she's crying, dummy. Her eyes are red, and her nose is running.

But the girl didn't comment on his silly question. She quickly wiped her nose and said, "You're the boy I poisoned."

Ron blushed. It was Romilda, the girl who had sent the chocolates to Harry. He began, "It's alright, you didn't-"

But she quickly pulled him onto the couch beside her and threw her arms around his neck. "I'm so sorry," she cried, "I didn't mean to poison anyone. The shop girl at Honeydukes on Valentine's Day told me they were harmless."

Ron pulled away and said, "They were. Other things happened afterwards that landed me in the Hospital Wing."

Tears welled up in her eyes, "I still feel horrible though. It's all my fault, me and my stupid crush."

Ron looked over at her. He was never really good with crying girls, having had little practice with his Mum and his sister who were very strong women. He smiled nervously and placed a hand on her arm, "Hey, cheer up. Unhappiness is for the weak, and Gryffindors are made of stronger stuff than that. You gotta look on the brighter side of things."

She sniffled and gave him a wary look, "Which is?"

Ron smiled and said, "Well, I'm still alive so I think that's bright." At her small giggle, he continued, "Nothing's fractured, which is even better. And now you've got someone like me here to help you feel better. If all had been bad, then I don't know where I'd be."

"Probably still in the Hospital Wing," Romilda joked.

"Aha! But I'm not," he smiled. "So there's always a brighter side."

Romilda smiled and said, "Yes, there is." If Ron were a more observant boy, then he would have noticed the girl's faint blush and the way she slightly leaned towards him, as she added, "A brighter side."