Nov.02: I want to thank all those who have reviewed! And I hope this story
peeks your standards and then some! And I also apologize for any
misspellings.
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Chapter 8
The pale sunrise light had faded and Ron was still asleep. This was the day, which those who were eligible to go, were waiting for. The first day back to Hogwarts and Harry knew that they would be leaving in an hour but he didn't have the heart to wake Ron.
The bleary eyed young man had spent half the night consoling Ron and the other half grouping Ron's clothes together, placing small cardboard slips over the folded clothes with the appropriate Braille labeling. Harry couldn't keep himself calm enough to lie down, let alone sleep. He had so much to do when he got to school. He had to help Ron get reacquainted with the landscaping and layouts of the castle, had to help him with homework and lead the Quidditch team. How was he going to do all of that?
A soft knock came at Ron's door and Harry hastily opened it. It was Mrs. Weasley.
"Oh Harry, dear, good to see that you're up and ready. Now where's Ron? Oh, in bed of course. He really ought to get up. Ronald." She commanded softly as she went over to her son.
"Mrs. Weasley, don't. Ron had a bad night." He whispered as tears began to blur his vision.
"Well that doesn't give him the right to sleep in."
"It's good that you want to treat him as normal as possible but he's really- "
"Harry, that's okay but.....what's wrong?" She peered over at him. He looked a bit pale, down trodden as he averted his eyes towards the scene outside. Everyone was hurrying to pack trunks, racing about to get breakfast and last minute items.
"Ron can't see. He went blind last night."
Her world froze. "What do you mean?"
"He woke up crying and I didn't know what it was about that, him losing his sight. I should have known that he was upset, I was sleeping right next to him. I can't believe this. I'm scared, after all of this, knowing, I'm scared to death."
He sat down on the edge of the bed, that, no less than 24 hours ago, Ron and he was lying on, together, in each other's arms. It seems that that moment in time happened years ago but it was only yesterday.
"What do you mean, dear?" The matriarch sat down next to him.
"I'm really scared of what's to happen-"
"Not that. You were in bed with Ron?"
Shite! That wasn't supposed to come out. Harry dropped his head in his hands. "I wasn't supposed to say anything about that."
"About what?" Molly placed her hand on top of the distressed boy's shoulder.
Harry couldn't bring himself to look at her. Molly Weasley was like a mother to him, giving him care and a nurturing environment for him to grow in. He didn't have the heart to upset her, possibly anger her, with his news.
"Tell me. I won't get upset."
"Nothing." He said, quickly moving away from her touch. "Nothing at all. I had a nightmare and I jumped into Ron's bed. Honest, it was nothing at all."
"Harry, you can tell me. I know it wasn't a nightmare. You could never lie to me." She smiled with motherly gentleness.
Nervously rubbing his hands together, Harry took a deep breath and braced himself. "I was sleeping in Ron's bed because he and I, we are....going out."
Molly sat in utter disbelieve; her son wasn't gay. There was nothing wrong with homosexuals but this was her son. Gay? Dating Harry? No mother dreams of this moment. She always pictured her youngest son getting married to some nice girl he met at school. They were to have a happy marriage and wonderful kids. His wife would be a joy to be around, supportive and above all a motivation, a pillar of strength for the family when times got tough. And when Hermione had come to stay, Molly thought that she was it. Never Harry, never a boy.
"How long?"
"Not very. A few days."
"Oh."
The two sat in silence, moments that were painful for both. Molly cleared her throat and shook Ron's leg. "Wake up."
Slowly, he woke. A groan hung on his lips as he opened his eyes to see nothing but darkness. "Harry." He mumbled.
He was by the side of the groggy boy in an instant, not caring that Mrs. Weasley was still in the room. -I am right here. So is your mother. I should warn you, I told her about us. -
"Fine. I don't care. How much time do we have until the train leaves?"
- An hour or so. -
"I should get ready then, uh?" He sniffled, laying his head on Harry's shoulder, after he positively identified it with a touch of his palm. "Don't leave me."
- I won't. I even labeled some things of yours so it should be easy for you later on. I'm going to help you get dressed so don't panic if someone touches you. -
Ron didn't respond, didn't need to. Harry began to unbutton his pajama top.
"What are you doing?" shrieked Molly.
"I'm getting him ready. What did you think I was doing?" He smiled at her as he removed Ron's white shirt. "Oh." He laughed suddenly, understanding why she was partially angry and shocked.
Molly drew out a shaky breath. "I'll go down and alert the family as to Ron and that it finally happened."
Ron didn't care as to be clued in as to why Harry had stopped; if Harry was going to tell him, then, he would. He refused to take on such thoughts of separation but he couldn't help it. He felt so utterly alone. The darkness wrapped around his heart so desperately, so aggressively. But what was he to do other than allow Harry to dress him? Though this was so humiliating to him, he let Harry baby him, taking comfort in the physical evidence that he wouldn't be at this alone. But still....
- Come along then. I already sent your trunk down and your cane is right here. -
"Okay. And Harry?" Ron searched for Harry's hand only to find his palm resting on soft strands of hair. "Are you tying my shoes?"
He could feel the distinct movement of a 'yes'. His hand traveled down to Harry's shoulder, grabbing his shirt and pulling him up towards him. Ron soft felt Harry's face, his glasses....his lips.
"Just don't leave me."
- I won't. I meant it when I said I don't want to be anywhere without you. -
A small kissed convinced Harry that Ron believed him, for now. Ron silently followed his boyfriend down the stairs, to the car and through King's Crossing. He couldn't stand the feeling of passing through the wall. Now that he couldn't see it, he most certainly felt as his body passed through the façade. It wasn't as numbing as he always thought it was. Since he couldn't see it, walk through it on his own, Fred lent an arm for him to grasp onto so he wouldn't miss the wall completely. But without his other senses, Ron could actually feel his body pass through the bricks and now he stood on Platform 9 and ¾.
Before he could register the hussle and bussle of the platform or tell his family goodbye, someone was pulling him somewhere, presumably to the train. Ron didn't wonder who, didn't protest, he just went along until he could feel the bottom step press against his shin. He lifted his foot to the step and proceeded to undertake in a time-consuming task that he knew usually took no time at all.
Ron waiting against the wall nearest to the small staircase, his right hand gliding over it, feeling the small dents and raised swirls that were the pattern on the grey-blue wall. He could remember the color, how drab it was but, oh how he wished he could see it.
- I'm right here Ron. It's Hermione; Harry is putting the last of our things in a compartment. I'll take you to him and then I have to help patrol the aisles and help any first years. -
Ron remained mute as he was led to a compartment in the back of the car. He felt the swoosh of air breeze past him as the door slid open. The disabled young man freed himself of Hermione grasp on him and found a seat on his own.
"Well I'm going, Harry. I want to help out the first years and tell them the correct information before Malfoy gets to them." The new Head Girl lightly touched the badge that was gleaming proudly on her chest.
"Oh go right on ahead. Ginny will be here soon and then we'll forget you ever stopped by." Joked Harry as he sat down next to Ron and kissed him on the neck.
"Thank you, Harry, ever so much." Mocked the third person in the trio. "It's good to see that I'm wanted here. But I really should get going. Who would have ever thought that Malfoy would be Head Boy?"
"Who bloody well knows. You're needed out there so goodbye and be a goody- goody."
"I swear I'm going to write you up." She left, sliding the door in place to give the two some privacy.
- Did you know that Malfoy is Head Boy? -
"Is Hermione still here?"
"She left."
"Oh. But about Malfoy, where is this school going? Are you really okay with it? I mean you're rather calm." Ron explained as he turned his head to the direction of Harry whose head was resting against his shoulder.
- As long as he doesn't mess with us, I don't mind him anymore. I still can't stand him but it's just time to let this bickering end. -
"Fine with me. He just better not bother us."
Rather than continue the conversation, Ron haphazardly kissed Harry, wrapping his arm around the other Gryffindor. They passionately embraced for a few moments until Ron began to lead Harry to lay on his back.
Harry took Ron's hand and pressed it against his lips. "Do not do this. Tell me what is wrong."
"Tell you what's wrong? Nothing is wrong. Can I help it if I want to make love to you right now?" Ron muttered against Harry's neck, scattering butterfly kisses down the side of his neck.
Harry knew that something was wrong with Ron, he was his best friend for years after all. - Talk to me. I was your best friend for years and just because I'm your boyfriend now doesn't mean that that is ever going to change. I'm still your best friend and I still want hear about how you're feeling. -
"Why did you have to ruin this? I just want to be with you, touch you, feel that you are there and all you can do is disagree. You ask me what's wrong and then say you're still my best friend. Well, if you were, then you would know that I hate this. I feel trapped in this. I can't see you, hear you and it's driving me mad. I know you were having a conversation with Hermione but to know that I can't hear you two really hits me hard. I mean you could be talking about me for all I know." He heaved himself upright.
- I would never do that. You know that. I'm sorry that this had to happen to you but if I could, I'd go back and have this happen to me. Hell! I will. We can get the Time Turner and I'll fix it. That device was meant for me but instead you were hurt. That kills me inside. You, the one person in this world whom I want to be with, protect, love, had to take on the full blast of it alone, it hurts me as well. How can you stand to be with me when you know that the only reason you are blind and deaf is because of you friendship with me? -
Harry remained on his back, not daring to move in case Ron wanted to tease him some more. But he knew that if anything happened it would be out of sorrow. Wasn't lovemaking supposed to be fun?
"I never thought about it that way. You being the cause of this. I don't like you very much anymore." Ron quirked, a smile tugging at his lips.
The green eyed boy sat up; he stared at Ron, noticing the subtleties of his matured features. He finally grew into his nose, he had gotten even taller and his face held such grief, weighing him down with an aged aura. It hurt him to know that he was useless, that there was nothing he could do. And those glasses were adding to the grief. Harry took them off of Ron. Now those eyes that were looking everywhere else but into his eyes were free of the spectacles.
- You look better without them. Can't believe I let you out with them on. -
"Why? I thought I look so smashing in them."
There was a bit of the old Ron. - No, you thought that. I was rather taken with you without them on. -
"Oh yes. Now I remember. Come here and give me a kiss."
- I can't argue with that. -
They leaned forward and shared an innocent kiss. "I'm beginning to get use to this." Ron settled into Harry's arms that had encircled him.
But as Ron lay in Harry's arms, he had to suppress the agony that was depression. He wasn't going to allow Harry to suffer as well.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Ginny called from the now opened door.
"If you came a few seconds earlier, we would have been caught in sticky situation. Come in." - It's Ginny. -
"Hey, Gin." Ron said from the folds of Harry's shirt. "You're rather comfortable. I think I could fall asleep on you."
- As long as it isn't during certain situations, I have no problem with that. -
"Oh don't get to comfortable there." Sneered another intruding voice.
"Malfoy." Harry's eyes became instant slits of hatred. "What do you want?"
"Come out here so I can talk to you?" he answered back. He was leaning against the doorway, a perfect and typical stance of his.
"I'd prefer not." - It's Malfoy and he wants to talk to me. -
"Go away ferret boy. Don't you have some first years to torment?" Ron spoke in his usual voice, cold and menacing.
"Tell your," he roamed his eyes over the cuddling couple, "boyfriend that I wasn't talking to him."
Ginny stood toe-to-toe with the blond Slytherin. "Leave now Malfoy or else I'll curse you."
"Oh, threatening Head Boy are we? 50 points from Gryffindor. Now, come out here."
"No thank you. I'll stay here with Ron thank you."
"Another 10 points. Another 5....keep me waiting and I swear by the time we get off this train Gryffindor will be completely out of the running for House Cup. 10 more points from Gryffindor." Draco left the compartment."
- I'll be back. - Harry slipped out from under Ron and left the compartment as well.
Harry followed behind the Slytherin until they were tucked in a small alcove near the station that contained extra treats for the food cart. "What do you have to say?"
"In a rush aren't we? You want to go back to Weasley, huh?"
"Yeah, I do. So say want you need to say and then leave me be." Harry crossed his arms over his chest.
"Well, aren't we a little testy today. But I'll wait until you are calmer and more pleasant to talk to. Another 20 points for sheer rudeness." Malfoy proceeded to saunter down the corridor.
Because he couldn't stand losing all those points, Harry continued to follow behind Malfoy. The blonde stopped, once again leaning against the wall.
"I guess I did a very good job on making you the best little homosexual that you could be."
Harry simply rolled his eyes. What did he ever see in this bastard?
"I won't keep you from Weasley too long. I just wanted to check up on my ex."
"Well you did, so goodbye." Harry moved along, passing Malfoy, who grabbed him by the arm.
"You know I haven't really stopped thinking of you." He whispered as he yanked Harry's body closer to him.
"I certainly ceased."
"Really? Have you stopped thinking about all the passionate nights we spent together, all the times you snuck around for a snog or to catch a quickie before classes began? Have you ceased in reminiscing about the way I could effortlessly touch you and you would melt, mewl I believe?" Malfoy sighed, flicking his tongue across Harry's ear.
"Yes. Yes I have."
"Stop lying. I can feel you shivering against me. You know I have my own room. Maybe we could drum up some old memories. Or create some new ones." His eyes were focused on Harry's green orbs, pulling him into his sexual trap.
"I'd rather not." Harry pulled an arm off of him, only being draw even closer (if that was possible; Harry could feel the wand that was faithfully placed in Malfoy's robe pocket) to the Malfoy heir.
"Sure you would. Here," he slid a piece of parchment into Harry's front pants pocket, "you'll need this to find where it is."
"And what makes you think that I would even think of going back to you. I'm happy with Ron. You know I've always wanted him. You yourself said you would leave me be if I ever got together with Ron. And when you said that, I won't deny it, I fell in love with you. At the moment, I was utterly in love with you but when you left me.....it wasn't even that you left me, it was the way you left me, broken and lonely, is why I would never get back with you. Not even for one night. I have Ron, why would I want you?" shouted Harry secretly. He couldn't stand it if other people found out about their love affair from last year.
"Because you could never resist me or this." Malfoy ran his fingers through material midnight, as he called it, a sneer turned into a smile and pressed his lips to Harry's. Nothing too risqué but a simplistic, patient kiss. Nothing that Harry could ever remember Malfoy sharing with him.
"I have to go." Harry pushed back.
"Okay," Draco straightened his robes and walked down the hall. "Oh yes. All points reinstated." He called back to Harry, without so much as a glance.
"I hate you so much." He scolded to himself. He could feel an erection coming through already. Harry hated himself as much as he hated Malfoy. Why did he have such a hold on him? But that had to stop; he was with Ron and he was happy. "Stressed and happy."
Harry remained standing by the wall, collecting himself, calming himself before he returned to his compartment that now inhabited Hermione and Seamus. Hermione and Ginny were occupying Ron and Seamus sat across from them, obviously waiting for Harry to return.
"Seamus, hey. I didn't expect to see you again so soon." Harry smiled as Seamus walked towards him and clasped their hands together in a welcoming manner.
"Me neither but with all the reports, I decided that I should show up. Dean and Neville are stopping by pretty soon. Us Gryffindors should stick together and help out one that has fallen." Announced Seamus. Now this was a shocker.
"What? Come together? Why Seamus I never knew you had a noble, thoughtful or leadership bone in your body?"
"When you have Harry Potter living with you, a person tends to pick up on his tendencies." He laughed. "And plus, I've finally gotten laid and now I am a man." He puffed out his chest in over-emphasis.
"Okay." The girls rolled their eyes.
"But really, I was worried about Ron. I couldn't believe it when I read the paper. But there it was, the Weasleys experienced an attack and their youngest male received the brunt of the blow. Deaf and blind." The Irish- born dropped his voice to a serious whisper. "How is he holding up?"
"Ask him yourself." Harry smiled as he squatted in front of Ron, a hand placed on the other boy's knee to steady himself. "Can I take him off of your hands for a sec?"
"You mean take us off his hands?" Ginny flashed the raven-haired teenager a grin. "Sure." She signed rapidly into Ron's open palm. Ginny really took to signing for she was hands down the fastest out of all of them but Harry could safely say that he was a close second. "There you go." Ginny held onto Ron's wrist, guiding it to the direction of Harry.
"To talk to him, you have to spell out each word into his hands. It takes along time to master it but we were able to have some charm placed on us so we all understand it, Hermione, Ron's family, and I including him. Sooner or later we'll have to come up with some shorthand for classes."
Seamus cautiously went towards his fellow seventh year. "So what do I spell out?"
"What do you want to say?" Harry asked as he rubbed Ron's palm in his hands.
"Um, the standard greetings I guess. How are you, mate?"
"Sure, I'll show you the signs." - Ron, Seamus is going to talk to you now. -
"Hey Seamus!" Ron smiled as he scanned the room, trying to find the location of the Irish man.
Harry showed Seamus each letter in the phrase, 'How are you, mate?' taking his time and care to instruct him properly.
"I've been better. You?"
Seamus stared in amazement. "How can he understand that? That's amazing. Show me the alphabet!"
Hermione rolled her in amusement. "Well I can't stand to see the Miracle Worker in action again. It does remind me of that movie, though."
"What?" asked Seamus as he sat in her precious occupied seat.
"There was this girl who was deaf, mute and blind. And one day this lady came by and taught her to communicate...it was made into a movie. Pretty good actually. I have to go patrol. Ginny, do you want to help keep me from going bored out of my mind?"
"Sure. Bye guys." She kissed her older brother on the head before leaving with Hermione.
"So, what else do you want to say?" Harry wondered as he sat down on the right side of Ron.
"Why don't you say it? It'll take the rest of the trip to get out two sentences from me."
Throughout the rest of the train ride, Harry helped to bridge the gap of communication between Ron and the others. Dean and Neville arrived somewhere in the middle of the day and the five roommates talked about nothing and everything.
After the group of boys left Harry and Ron to themselves, the couple dressed in their school uniforms and took in the comfort of silence. They stayed in each other's arms, sharing love-filled kisses whenever possible.
"So what did Malfoy want?" Ron questioned as he sat back down, robes pulled on.
- Well. He wanted to know about your condition. - he lied. He couldn't bring himself to tell Ron about his and Malfoy's relationship. Not now, not ever.
"You're kidding me?"
- Nope. He was still Malfoy about it but he did ask. Let's stop talking about him. -
"Sure. But did he see us?"
- He did but since he's gay himself, I doubt he'll say a thing. -
"Malfoy's gay? How did you know."
- He told me. So don't worry. Let's just enjoy this? - The two sat in silence.
When the train lurched to a stop, Ron gather the collapsible walking cane, folding it so he could hold it and stepped off the train, Harry guiding him with a firm grip on his upper arm. Ron didn't mind the harshness of his treatment; he was fathoming how he was going to last through the Sorting and dinner. That is if he was going to go.
Harry couldn't help himself as he passed Malfoy. The hatred he felt for that slimy, Slytherin bastard flowed through him. How could he ever fall in love with Malfoy? He was evil, through and through. How could Harry fall for him? He tried to ignore the blonde to the best of his ability but that slip of parchment that held the directions to Draco's new sleeping quarters were was burning into Harry's pocket. After he changed, he but the paper into his slacks to keep from having it slip out and someone finding out. Once he was in a carriage, Harry eased off on Ron.
- Oh, Ron. I'm sorry about they way I was handling you. -
- Don't worry. - Ron replied, staring off into spacing, hoping he wasn't staring at anyone. - I didn't mind a bit. -
- You should have. I am sorry though. Do you want to walk around school for while? To get a feel for where everything is. Or just eat then travel around? -
Ron huffed with exasperation. "I'm fine Harry. I remember where everything is. I doubt if I'll even go to the Sorting. I have to finish an essay for Charms. I did get an extension after all."
- I thought you completed all of your work? -
"So I lied. So bloody sorry." Ron spoke. He was agitated beyond belief; he didn't want to sit around and feel everyone stare at him. He knew there would be some announcement to be made about his delicate situation and Ron, being the proud person that he was, couldn't stand the possibility of pity floating his way.
The rest of the ride to Hogwarts was silent. As their carriage came to a halt, Ron struggled to get out as quick as possible. Thankfully he got out without too much of a challenge. Harry followed behind him, not wanting to force Ron into submission. Didn't want to embarrass Ron by guiding him to the Great Hall. He knew what type of pride Ron had and doting on the Weasley wouldn't do anyone any good. But Harry had to admit, watching Ron take out his walking stick, unfolding it with a snap to his wrist, warily making his way to the castle, made Harry proud to be with him. A warm feeling of relief, knowing that Ron might be able to pull this school year off, rose from his heart. His chest swelled with love for the redhead and warmth spread to his loins. Dear Merlin, maybe he should have let Ron take advantage of him.
Inside, the castle was the same. Fires lit, portraits chattering about the new school year and the amazement set on first years' faces all excited Harry. He was back home and hopefully this year would be his first normal one. N.E.W.T.S. and Quidditch were all that Harry was to worry about. Some fellow Gryffindors patted Harry on the back in welcoming but he brushed them off as politely as possible for he was watching over Ron, making sure he didn't crash into anything.
But Ron knew. He just knew that Harry was behind him, a couple of feet away tops. And he was okay with that. At least he wasn't latched on to him or holding his wrist in lieu of his hand. Ron could handle being deaf or just blind but both at the same time? Who could stand such a thing? His intuition told him that he had passed the entrance of the Great Hall and was approaching his table. But with each step he took, dread filled him more completely. And at the last minute, Ron turned on his heels and rushed back out the entrance, to the stairwell and headed for the Tower. He didn't need the password for the school rigged the portrait to identify he by pressing his palm against the frame, if need be. And so, Ron was in his environment. He could grasp the red and gold warmth of the room. The warmth this Common Room created was tangible to him.
He took things like color for grant and now he desperately wished he hadn't. He trudged up the stairs that lead to the Seventh Year boys' dormitory. He instinctively went to his bed and collapsed upon it.
"I know you're still there Harry. Leave me alone, please." Ron grumbled from the pillow that his face was smashed against.
- I told you I don't want to be anywhere that you aren't. So here I am. - Harry sat down next to him. - Can I sneak into your bed tonight? -
"It's too risky. Now go." Ron turned his back to him. "I don't want to be there."
Harry was crushed, not so much by Ron's refusal to let him in his bed but not going downstairs with his friends.
- But I told you I don't want be anywhere without you. -
"Harry, cut it. Please. I can't either but I just want to be alone. So go."
Harry placed a kiss on Ron's neck, which caused him to shrink away from him. - You're having second thoughts about us. -
"Harry," Ron sighed. "That's not it. Just leave."
"Fine," Harry whispered. He lingered for a while, hoping that Ron would recant and beg him to stay. But no such thing occurred. He gracelessly left the room, feeling ten times worse than he did this morning.
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Chapter 8
The pale sunrise light had faded and Ron was still asleep. This was the day, which those who were eligible to go, were waiting for. The first day back to Hogwarts and Harry knew that they would be leaving in an hour but he didn't have the heart to wake Ron.
The bleary eyed young man had spent half the night consoling Ron and the other half grouping Ron's clothes together, placing small cardboard slips over the folded clothes with the appropriate Braille labeling. Harry couldn't keep himself calm enough to lie down, let alone sleep. He had so much to do when he got to school. He had to help Ron get reacquainted with the landscaping and layouts of the castle, had to help him with homework and lead the Quidditch team. How was he going to do all of that?
A soft knock came at Ron's door and Harry hastily opened it. It was Mrs. Weasley.
"Oh Harry, dear, good to see that you're up and ready. Now where's Ron? Oh, in bed of course. He really ought to get up. Ronald." She commanded softly as she went over to her son.
"Mrs. Weasley, don't. Ron had a bad night." He whispered as tears began to blur his vision.
"Well that doesn't give him the right to sleep in."
"It's good that you want to treat him as normal as possible but he's really- "
"Harry, that's okay but.....what's wrong?" She peered over at him. He looked a bit pale, down trodden as he averted his eyes towards the scene outside. Everyone was hurrying to pack trunks, racing about to get breakfast and last minute items.
"Ron can't see. He went blind last night."
Her world froze. "What do you mean?"
"He woke up crying and I didn't know what it was about that, him losing his sight. I should have known that he was upset, I was sleeping right next to him. I can't believe this. I'm scared, after all of this, knowing, I'm scared to death."
He sat down on the edge of the bed, that, no less than 24 hours ago, Ron and he was lying on, together, in each other's arms. It seems that that moment in time happened years ago but it was only yesterday.
"What do you mean, dear?" The matriarch sat down next to him.
"I'm really scared of what's to happen-"
"Not that. You were in bed with Ron?"
Shite! That wasn't supposed to come out. Harry dropped his head in his hands. "I wasn't supposed to say anything about that."
"About what?" Molly placed her hand on top of the distressed boy's shoulder.
Harry couldn't bring himself to look at her. Molly Weasley was like a mother to him, giving him care and a nurturing environment for him to grow in. He didn't have the heart to upset her, possibly anger her, with his news.
"Tell me. I won't get upset."
"Nothing." He said, quickly moving away from her touch. "Nothing at all. I had a nightmare and I jumped into Ron's bed. Honest, it was nothing at all."
"Harry, you can tell me. I know it wasn't a nightmare. You could never lie to me." She smiled with motherly gentleness.
Nervously rubbing his hands together, Harry took a deep breath and braced himself. "I was sleeping in Ron's bed because he and I, we are....going out."
Molly sat in utter disbelieve; her son wasn't gay. There was nothing wrong with homosexuals but this was her son. Gay? Dating Harry? No mother dreams of this moment. She always pictured her youngest son getting married to some nice girl he met at school. They were to have a happy marriage and wonderful kids. His wife would be a joy to be around, supportive and above all a motivation, a pillar of strength for the family when times got tough. And when Hermione had come to stay, Molly thought that she was it. Never Harry, never a boy.
"How long?"
"Not very. A few days."
"Oh."
The two sat in silence, moments that were painful for both. Molly cleared her throat and shook Ron's leg. "Wake up."
Slowly, he woke. A groan hung on his lips as he opened his eyes to see nothing but darkness. "Harry." He mumbled.
He was by the side of the groggy boy in an instant, not caring that Mrs. Weasley was still in the room. -I am right here. So is your mother. I should warn you, I told her about us. -
"Fine. I don't care. How much time do we have until the train leaves?"
- An hour or so. -
"I should get ready then, uh?" He sniffled, laying his head on Harry's shoulder, after he positively identified it with a touch of his palm. "Don't leave me."
- I won't. I even labeled some things of yours so it should be easy for you later on. I'm going to help you get dressed so don't panic if someone touches you. -
Ron didn't respond, didn't need to. Harry began to unbutton his pajama top.
"What are you doing?" shrieked Molly.
"I'm getting him ready. What did you think I was doing?" He smiled at her as he removed Ron's white shirt. "Oh." He laughed suddenly, understanding why she was partially angry and shocked.
Molly drew out a shaky breath. "I'll go down and alert the family as to Ron and that it finally happened."
Ron didn't care as to be clued in as to why Harry had stopped; if Harry was going to tell him, then, he would. He refused to take on such thoughts of separation but he couldn't help it. He felt so utterly alone. The darkness wrapped around his heart so desperately, so aggressively. But what was he to do other than allow Harry to dress him? Though this was so humiliating to him, he let Harry baby him, taking comfort in the physical evidence that he wouldn't be at this alone. But still....
- Come along then. I already sent your trunk down and your cane is right here. -
"Okay. And Harry?" Ron searched for Harry's hand only to find his palm resting on soft strands of hair. "Are you tying my shoes?"
He could feel the distinct movement of a 'yes'. His hand traveled down to Harry's shoulder, grabbing his shirt and pulling him up towards him. Ron soft felt Harry's face, his glasses....his lips.
"Just don't leave me."
- I won't. I meant it when I said I don't want to be anywhere without you. -
A small kissed convinced Harry that Ron believed him, for now. Ron silently followed his boyfriend down the stairs, to the car and through King's Crossing. He couldn't stand the feeling of passing through the wall. Now that he couldn't see it, he most certainly felt as his body passed through the façade. It wasn't as numbing as he always thought it was. Since he couldn't see it, walk through it on his own, Fred lent an arm for him to grasp onto so he wouldn't miss the wall completely. But without his other senses, Ron could actually feel his body pass through the bricks and now he stood on Platform 9 and ¾.
Before he could register the hussle and bussle of the platform or tell his family goodbye, someone was pulling him somewhere, presumably to the train. Ron didn't wonder who, didn't protest, he just went along until he could feel the bottom step press against his shin. He lifted his foot to the step and proceeded to undertake in a time-consuming task that he knew usually took no time at all.
Ron waiting against the wall nearest to the small staircase, his right hand gliding over it, feeling the small dents and raised swirls that were the pattern on the grey-blue wall. He could remember the color, how drab it was but, oh how he wished he could see it.
- I'm right here Ron. It's Hermione; Harry is putting the last of our things in a compartment. I'll take you to him and then I have to help patrol the aisles and help any first years. -
Ron remained mute as he was led to a compartment in the back of the car. He felt the swoosh of air breeze past him as the door slid open. The disabled young man freed himself of Hermione grasp on him and found a seat on his own.
"Well I'm going, Harry. I want to help out the first years and tell them the correct information before Malfoy gets to them." The new Head Girl lightly touched the badge that was gleaming proudly on her chest.
"Oh go right on ahead. Ginny will be here soon and then we'll forget you ever stopped by." Joked Harry as he sat down next to Ron and kissed him on the neck.
"Thank you, Harry, ever so much." Mocked the third person in the trio. "It's good to see that I'm wanted here. But I really should get going. Who would have ever thought that Malfoy would be Head Boy?"
"Who bloody well knows. You're needed out there so goodbye and be a goody- goody."
"I swear I'm going to write you up." She left, sliding the door in place to give the two some privacy.
- Did you know that Malfoy is Head Boy? -
"Is Hermione still here?"
"She left."
"Oh. But about Malfoy, where is this school going? Are you really okay with it? I mean you're rather calm." Ron explained as he turned his head to the direction of Harry whose head was resting against his shoulder.
- As long as he doesn't mess with us, I don't mind him anymore. I still can't stand him but it's just time to let this bickering end. -
"Fine with me. He just better not bother us."
Rather than continue the conversation, Ron haphazardly kissed Harry, wrapping his arm around the other Gryffindor. They passionately embraced for a few moments until Ron began to lead Harry to lay on his back.
Harry took Ron's hand and pressed it against his lips. "Do not do this. Tell me what is wrong."
"Tell you what's wrong? Nothing is wrong. Can I help it if I want to make love to you right now?" Ron muttered against Harry's neck, scattering butterfly kisses down the side of his neck.
Harry knew that something was wrong with Ron, he was his best friend for years after all. - Talk to me. I was your best friend for years and just because I'm your boyfriend now doesn't mean that that is ever going to change. I'm still your best friend and I still want hear about how you're feeling. -
"Why did you have to ruin this? I just want to be with you, touch you, feel that you are there and all you can do is disagree. You ask me what's wrong and then say you're still my best friend. Well, if you were, then you would know that I hate this. I feel trapped in this. I can't see you, hear you and it's driving me mad. I know you were having a conversation with Hermione but to know that I can't hear you two really hits me hard. I mean you could be talking about me for all I know." He heaved himself upright.
- I would never do that. You know that. I'm sorry that this had to happen to you but if I could, I'd go back and have this happen to me. Hell! I will. We can get the Time Turner and I'll fix it. That device was meant for me but instead you were hurt. That kills me inside. You, the one person in this world whom I want to be with, protect, love, had to take on the full blast of it alone, it hurts me as well. How can you stand to be with me when you know that the only reason you are blind and deaf is because of you friendship with me? -
Harry remained on his back, not daring to move in case Ron wanted to tease him some more. But he knew that if anything happened it would be out of sorrow. Wasn't lovemaking supposed to be fun?
"I never thought about it that way. You being the cause of this. I don't like you very much anymore." Ron quirked, a smile tugging at his lips.
The green eyed boy sat up; he stared at Ron, noticing the subtleties of his matured features. He finally grew into his nose, he had gotten even taller and his face held such grief, weighing him down with an aged aura. It hurt him to know that he was useless, that there was nothing he could do. And those glasses were adding to the grief. Harry took them off of Ron. Now those eyes that were looking everywhere else but into his eyes were free of the spectacles.
- You look better without them. Can't believe I let you out with them on. -
"Why? I thought I look so smashing in them."
There was a bit of the old Ron. - No, you thought that. I was rather taken with you without them on. -
"Oh yes. Now I remember. Come here and give me a kiss."
- I can't argue with that. -
They leaned forward and shared an innocent kiss. "I'm beginning to get use to this." Ron settled into Harry's arms that had encircled him.
But as Ron lay in Harry's arms, he had to suppress the agony that was depression. He wasn't going to allow Harry to suffer as well.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Ginny called from the now opened door.
"If you came a few seconds earlier, we would have been caught in sticky situation. Come in." - It's Ginny. -
"Hey, Gin." Ron said from the folds of Harry's shirt. "You're rather comfortable. I think I could fall asleep on you."
- As long as it isn't during certain situations, I have no problem with that. -
"Oh don't get to comfortable there." Sneered another intruding voice.
"Malfoy." Harry's eyes became instant slits of hatred. "What do you want?"
"Come out here so I can talk to you?" he answered back. He was leaning against the doorway, a perfect and typical stance of his.
"I'd prefer not." - It's Malfoy and he wants to talk to me. -
"Go away ferret boy. Don't you have some first years to torment?" Ron spoke in his usual voice, cold and menacing.
"Tell your," he roamed his eyes over the cuddling couple, "boyfriend that I wasn't talking to him."
Ginny stood toe-to-toe with the blond Slytherin. "Leave now Malfoy or else I'll curse you."
"Oh, threatening Head Boy are we? 50 points from Gryffindor. Now, come out here."
"No thank you. I'll stay here with Ron thank you."
"Another 10 points. Another 5....keep me waiting and I swear by the time we get off this train Gryffindor will be completely out of the running for House Cup. 10 more points from Gryffindor." Draco left the compartment."
- I'll be back. - Harry slipped out from under Ron and left the compartment as well.
Harry followed behind the Slytherin until they were tucked in a small alcove near the station that contained extra treats for the food cart. "What do you have to say?"
"In a rush aren't we? You want to go back to Weasley, huh?"
"Yeah, I do. So say want you need to say and then leave me be." Harry crossed his arms over his chest.
"Well, aren't we a little testy today. But I'll wait until you are calmer and more pleasant to talk to. Another 20 points for sheer rudeness." Malfoy proceeded to saunter down the corridor.
Because he couldn't stand losing all those points, Harry continued to follow behind Malfoy. The blonde stopped, once again leaning against the wall.
"I guess I did a very good job on making you the best little homosexual that you could be."
Harry simply rolled his eyes. What did he ever see in this bastard?
"I won't keep you from Weasley too long. I just wanted to check up on my ex."
"Well you did, so goodbye." Harry moved along, passing Malfoy, who grabbed him by the arm.
"You know I haven't really stopped thinking of you." He whispered as he yanked Harry's body closer to him.
"I certainly ceased."
"Really? Have you stopped thinking about all the passionate nights we spent together, all the times you snuck around for a snog or to catch a quickie before classes began? Have you ceased in reminiscing about the way I could effortlessly touch you and you would melt, mewl I believe?" Malfoy sighed, flicking his tongue across Harry's ear.
"Yes. Yes I have."
"Stop lying. I can feel you shivering against me. You know I have my own room. Maybe we could drum up some old memories. Or create some new ones." His eyes were focused on Harry's green orbs, pulling him into his sexual trap.
"I'd rather not." Harry pulled an arm off of him, only being draw even closer (if that was possible; Harry could feel the wand that was faithfully placed in Malfoy's robe pocket) to the Malfoy heir.
"Sure you would. Here," he slid a piece of parchment into Harry's front pants pocket, "you'll need this to find where it is."
"And what makes you think that I would even think of going back to you. I'm happy with Ron. You know I've always wanted him. You yourself said you would leave me be if I ever got together with Ron. And when you said that, I won't deny it, I fell in love with you. At the moment, I was utterly in love with you but when you left me.....it wasn't even that you left me, it was the way you left me, broken and lonely, is why I would never get back with you. Not even for one night. I have Ron, why would I want you?" shouted Harry secretly. He couldn't stand it if other people found out about their love affair from last year.
"Because you could never resist me or this." Malfoy ran his fingers through material midnight, as he called it, a sneer turned into a smile and pressed his lips to Harry's. Nothing too risqué but a simplistic, patient kiss. Nothing that Harry could ever remember Malfoy sharing with him.
"I have to go." Harry pushed back.
"Okay," Draco straightened his robes and walked down the hall. "Oh yes. All points reinstated." He called back to Harry, without so much as a glance.
"I hate you so much." He scolded to himself. He could feel an erection coming through already. Harry hated himself as much as he hated Malfoy. Why did he have such a hold on him? But that had to stop; he was with Ron and he was happy. "Stressed and happy."
Harry remained standing by the wall, collecting himself, calming himself before he returned to his compartment that now inhabited Hermione and Seamus. Hermione and Ginny were occupying Ron and Seamus sat across from them, obviously waiting for Harry to return.
"Seamus, hey. I didn't expect to see you again so soon." Harry smiled as Seamus walked towards him and clasped their hands together in a welcoming manner.
"Me neither but with all the reports, I decided that I should show up. Dean and Neville are stopping by pretty soon. Us Gryffindors should stick together and help out one that has fallen." Announced Seamus. Now this was a shocker.
"What? Come together? Why Seamus I never knew you had a noble, thoughtful or leadership bone in your body?"
"When you have Harry Potter living with you, a person tends to pick up on his tendencies." He laughed. "And plus, I've finally gotten laid and now I am a man." He puffed out his chest in over-emphasis.
"Okay." The girls rolled their eyes.
"But really, I was worried about Ron. I couldn't believe it when I read the paper. But there it was, the Weasleys experienced an attack and their youngest male received the brunt of the blow. Deaf and blind." The Irish- born dropped his voice to a serious whisper. "How is he holding up?"
"Ask him yourself." Harry smiled as he squatted in front of Ron, a hand placed on the other boy's knee to steady himself. "Can I take him off of your hands for a sec?"
"You mean take us off his hands?" Ginny flashed the raven-haired teenager a grin. "Sure." She signed rapidly into Ron's open palm. Ginny really took to signing for she was hands down the fastest out of all of them but Harry could safely say that he was a close second. "There you go." Ginny held onto Ron's wrist, guiding it to the direction of Harry.
"To talk to him, you have to spell out each word into his hands. It takes along time to master it but we were able to have some charm placed on us so we all understand it, Hermione, Ron's family, and I including him. Sooner or later we'll have to come up with some shorthand for classes."
Seamus cautiously went towards his fellow seventh year. "So what do I spell out?"
"What do you want to say?" Harry asked as he rubbed Ron's palm in his hands.
"Um, the standard greetings I guess. How are you, mate?"
"Sure, I'll show you the signs." - Ron, Seamus is going to talk to you now. -
"Hey Seamus!" Ron smiled as he scanned the room, trying to find the location of the Irish man.
Harry showed Seamus each letter in the phrase, 'How are you, mate?' taking his time and care to instruct him properly.
"I've been better. You?"
Seamus stared in amazement. "How can he understand that? That's amazing. Show me the alphabet!"
Hermione rolled her in amusement. "Well I can't stand to see the Miracle Worker in action again. It does remind me of that movie, though."
"What?" asked Seamus as he sat in her precious occupied seat.
"There was this girl who was deaf, mute and blind. And one day this lady came by and taught her to communicate...it was made into a movie. Pretty good actually. I have to go patrol. Ginny, do you want to help keep me from going bored out of my mind?"
"Sure. Bye guys." She kissed her older brother on the head before leaving with Hermione.
"So, what else do you want to say?" Harry wondered as he sat down on the right side of Ron.
"Why don't you say it? It'll take the rest of the trip to get out two sentences from me."
Throughout the rest of the train ride, Harry helped to bridge the gap of communication between Ron and the others. Dean and Neville arrived somewhere in the middle of the day and the five roommates talked about nothing and everything.
After the group of boys left Harry and Ron to themselves, the couple dressed in their school uniforms and took in the comfort of silence. They stayed in each other's arms, sharing love-filled kisses whenever possible.
"So what did Malfoy want?" Ron questioned as he sat back down, robes pulled on.
- Well. He wanted to know about your condition. - he lied. He couldn't bring himself to tell Ron about his and Malfoy's relationship. Not now, not ever.
"You're kidding me?"
- Nope. He was still Malfoy about it but he did ask. Let's stop talking about him. -
"Sure. But did he see us?"
- He did but since he's gay himself, I doubt he'll say a thing. -
"Malfoy's gay? How did you know."
- He told me. So don't worry. Let's just enjoy this? - The two sat in silence.
When the train lurched to a stop, Ron gather the collapsible walking cane, folding it so he could hold it and stepped off the train, Harry guiding him with a firm grip on his upper arm. Ron didn't mind the harshness of his treatment; he was fathoming how he was going to last through the Sorting and dinner. That is if he was going to go.
Harry couldn't help himself as he passed Malfoy. The hatred he felt for that slimy, Slytherin bastard flowed through him. How could he ever fall in love with Malfoy? He was evil, through and through. How could Harry fall for him? He tried to ignore the blonde to the best of his ability but that slip of parchment that held the directions to Draco's new sleeping quarters were was burning into Harry's pocket. After he changed, he but the paper into his slacks to keep from having it slip out and someone finding out. Once he was in a carriage, Harry eased off on Ron.
- Oh, Ron. I'm sorry about they way I was handling you. -
- Don't worry. - Ron replied, staring off into spacing, hoping he wasn't staring at anyone. - I didn't mind a bit. -
- You should have. I am sorry though. Do you want to walk around school for while? To get a feel for where everything is. Or just eat then travel around? -
Ron huffed with exasperation. "I'm fine Harry. I remember where everything is. I doubt if I'll even go to the Sorting. I have to finish an essay for Charms. I did get an extension after all."
- I thought you completed all of your work? -
"So I lied. So bloody sorry." Ron spoke. He was agitated beyond belief; he didn't want to sit around and feel everyone stare at him. He knew there would be some announcement to be made about his delicate situation and Ron, being the proud person that he was, couldn't stand the possibility of pity floating his way.
The rest of the ride to Hogwarts was silent. As their carriage came to a halt, Ron struggled to get out as quick as possible. Thankfully he got out without too much of a challenge. Harry followed behind him, not wanting to force Ron into submission. Didn't want to embarrass Ron by guiding him to the Great Hall. He knew what type of pride Ron had and doting on the Weasley wouldn't do anyone any good. But Harry had to admit, watching Ron take out his walking stick, unfolding it with a snap to his wrist, warily making his way to the castle, made Harry proud to be with him. A warm feeling of relief, knowing that Ron might be able to pull this school year off, rose from his heart. His chest swelled with love for the redhead and warmth spread to his loins. Dear Merlin, maybe he should have let Ron take advantage of him.
Inside, the castle was the same. Fires lit, portraits chattering about the new school year and the amazement set on first years' faces all excited Harry. He was back home and hopefully this year would be his first normal one. N.E.W.T.S. and Quidditch were all that Harry was to worry about. Some fellow Gryffindors patted Harry on the back in welcoming but he brushed them off as politely as possible for he was watching over Ron, making sure he didn't crash into anything.
But Ron knew. He just knew that Harry was behind him, a couple of feet away tops. And he was okay with that. At least he wasn't latched on to him or holding his wrist in lieu of his hand. Ron could handle being deaf or just blind but both at the same time? Who could stand such a thing? His intuition told him that he had passed the entrance of the Great Hall and was approaching his table. But with each step he took, dread filled him more completely. And at the last minute, Ron turned on his heels and rushed back out the entrance, to the stairwell and headed for the Tower. He didn't need the password for the school rigged the portrait to identify he by pressing his palm against the frame, if need be. And so, Ron was in his environment. He could grasp the red and gold warmth of the room. The warmth this Common Room created was tangible to him.
He took things like color for grant and now he desperately wished he hadn't. He trudged up the stairs that lead to the Seventh Year boys' dormitory. He instinctively went to his bed and collapsed upon it.
"I know you're still there Harry. Leave me alone, please." Ron grumbled from the pillow that his face was smashed against.
- I told you I don't want to be anywhere that you aren't. So here I am. - Harry sat down next to him. - Can I sneak into your bed tonight? -
"It's too risky. Now go." Ron turned his back to him. "I don't want to be there."
Harry was crushed, not so much by Ron's refusal to let him in his bed but not going downstairs with his friends.
- But I told you I don't want be anywhere without you. -
"Harry, cut it. Please. I can't either but I just want to be alone. So go."
Harry placed a kiss on Ron's neck, which caused him to shrink away from him. - You're having second thoughts about us. -
"Harry," Ron sighed. "That's not it. Just leave."
"Fine," Harry whispered. He lingered for a while, hoping that Ron would recant and beg him to stay. But no such thing occurred. He gracelessly left the room, feeling ten times worse than he did this morning.