A/N: only the first chapter, this is my second story now... this one's kind of the same with a bit more twist, angst, and gloominess... your reviews mean all the world to me! :D
As Harry finished packing his things into his trunk, he could hear bustling all around him. Mrs. Weasley was calling out items of a checklist, the boys were nodding drowsily, and Ginny and Hermione were well on their way to Diagon Alley.
"Now, Dear, it's all right, just do as you did last time..." Mrs. Weasley paused, "Just annunciate it a bit better, there you go, take this," she handed him the small flower pot of floo powder.
Harry nervously took a handful of it, wary that he might end up in Knockturn Alley again. Clearly and forcefully, he said, "Diagon Alley!" his body whirring through what looked like another universe, spinning and tumbling, until he trembled as he stood in the crowded alley. Attempting to walk, he stumbled, walking right into Ron.
Ron grabbed Harry by the shoulders, holding him up straight, "You okay, mate?"
"Yeah... I-I'm fine, just a bit woozy, long ride!"
The red-head smiled, "I know what you mean," looking into Harry's green eyes. He let go of Harry's shoulders, sure that he was able to walk on his own now. "Well, I reckon we best be on our way to the Kings Cross Station. Wouldn't want to miss the train again, would we?"
"No, not a very pleasant thought at all," Harry agreed, trudging along with Hedwig in one hand, the other pulling his heavy trunk.
They arrived at the station just five minutes before it left. Mrs. Weasley was running around like a maniac, saying her good-byes and farewells, smothering each child with kisses.
"Oh, Harry, Dear, please be careful this year! Good luck with all of your classes, too," she said, embracing Harry like he was her own son.
"Good-bye, Mrs. Weasley," he said as she moved onto Ron, who looked absolutley embarrassed to have his mother kissing him before he left for school. He was a fifteen year old boy, he didn't need this!
She dabbed at her eyes, "Bye children! Be sure to write!" she waved to all of them, who were well on their way in the train.
Hermione pulled one of the doors right, revealing an empty compartment. The three of them sat down, Ron with Harry and Hermione across from them.
"Hermione! What're you doin'!" Ron said, amazed that her nose was already buried inside of a book.
She looked up, "You aren't surprised by now? Honestly, I thought you two would have gotten used to me by now," she said grudgingly, shoving the book back up to her face.
Ron shrugged, "So, what have you been up to this summer, mate? Didn't get much time to talk before packing."
"Oh, the usual. Nothing exciting. Been locked up in my room still, the Dursley's terrified of me releasing any sort of anger on them... just seems to get worse every year, after all." Harry sighed, "They weren't much of a comfort to come back to, either, let me tell you. Just act like I don't exist, don't care that the closest thing I had to a father after my dad died never happened..."
Ron glanced at his best friend, his face gloomy. He wanted to comfort him, more than anything, but this was definitely not Ron's area of expertise. Sirius had been a sort of friend to him, sure, but he never got to know the truly amazing person he was. He tried his best to be reassuring, although he knew it never really helped.
Without thinking, Ron's left hand crept toward Harry's right, grasping it, shifting his fingers so that they were locked with Harry's. "Harry... Mate... I'm sorry... I don't know what to do," he said admittedly.
"I know... it's ok... I wouldn't know what to do either, if I were you," he said between soft cries.
Hermione let her book down, "I have to use the bathroom, I'll be back..." As she opened the door, however, Harry's utmost enemy had arrived.
"Hello, Potter," he spat. "Aw, what's wrong with Potter? Having another good cry about his godfather?" he snickered.
Ron rose up from his seat, "Shut up, Malfoy, we don't need you or your lame comments."
"Oh yeah? I'm sorry for disturbing your love session you're having then," he laughed and walked away.
"Bastard," Ron muttered under his breath. He plopped down next to Harry again. More to his surprise, Harry reached over for his hand again, as Ron so willingly held it.
"I just don't know, Ron... I don't know if I can make it this year... the closest thing I've had since a father... since... my dad died. He shouldn't have..." he said, nestling his head on Ron's shoulder.
"Harry...?" Ron asked apprehensively.
"Yeah?"
Ron drew in a breath, "Why are we sitting here, holding hands?"
Harry sat up, laughing, "You know, I'm not sure..."
Ron's face grew more serious, "I do... because you know what Harry..."
"No, I don't know. What?"
"Blah, as Fred and George would say, I'm a gay little coward."
"I never said that, though... what are you getting at, Ron?"
"Harry isn't it obvious? I'm not obvious?"
Harry looked astounded, "Ron... I have no bloody idea what you're talking about! Would you care to share? I don't much like it in the dark!"
"I like you, mate. Ever since last year, when I realized I was no longer interested in girls, that I didn't get the same vibe from them as I did us men."
"You mean...?"
"Yes, Harry, mate, I'm gay."
"And you...?"
"Yes, and I like you. From the way you acted tonight, I would suspect you to be inspecting yourself for anything you might be thinking."
Harry thought...he had been awfully affectionate with Ron tonight. But was it just out of sadness? That he needed someone and Ron just happened to be there? No, his head said, You've felt this way before with the kid, it continued. Harry shook his head, No way, it's too strange! he said silently in his head. It's really not, it's plain and simple actually... You like the kid!
"About what?" Hermione asked curiously.
Ron shook his head, "Nothing, just something you would think is dumb, Hermione," even if it wasn't. Was it at all possible that his best friend, his year-long crush, happened to be gay? Or even just bi? Or what if these feelings really meant nothing, and so did the hand-holding? No, Ron thought. I saw that look he had in his emerald eyes...