A Day At The Park
Mutual Understanding
For several seconds Harry and Ron stared awkwardly at one another. In the two and a half months since Harry and Hermione had ended things with Ginny and Ron, Harry had neither seen nor spoken to his best friend. Truth was Harry hadn't really spoken to Ron for at least three weeks prior to the breakups. He wondered if it was even appropriate to think of Ron as his best mate given that they hadn't spoken so much as one word to each other in nearly three months and the rather convoluted state of their love lives.
Realizing that they must look a tad peculiar crouched on the ground, surrounded by parcels just staring at one another, Harry averted his gaze and pointing his wand at the packages scattered about the ground restacked them into two neat piles. Harry then charmed all his packages to fit into the bag from Flourish and Blotts as it was the largest. Having sorted out the shopping Harry could no longer avoid speaking to Ron. Squaring his shoulders and drawing himself up to his full height Harry raised his eyes to meet Ron's and said.
"Sorry about that…bumping into you…wasn't really paying attention to where I was going."
Ron seemed taken aback by the fact that Harry spoken. He blinked uncomprehendingly, simply staring at Harry and not saying a word. Harry stared back as Ron regarded him and tried again at making conversation. Looking at the parcels he'd stacked Harry posed a query.
"How're things with George and the shop…still going well? I reckon Victoire's growing like mad… and how is the rest of the family…your mum and dad…Gin…"
As the first syllable of Ginny's name tumbled across his lips Harry bit down forcibly on his lip. Ron's brows knitted together in obvious irritation and answered back curtly.
"Ginny's as well as can be expected."
It was evident from Ron's tone that he was only just concealing the anger and frustration that was so clearly bubbling just below the surface. Harry knew that it would be best for all involved if he just walked away and let time resolve the animosity that Ron felt. But that would have been the reasonable, logical sort of thing to do and as he'd never done the reasonable logical thing before Harry didn't see much point in starting now. Taking a deep breath, Harry responded to Ron's statement.
"Well if that means that she's keeping well then I'm glad to hear it. And if it means she's not…then I'm sorry to have had a hand in it…"
Ron looked as if he was about to give in to the desire he obviously been warring with himself about and either scream obscenities at Harry, punch him square in the face or both. But Ron never got the chance as Harry's next words startled him.
"I know how much you must hate me…bad enough that your so called best friend messes your only sister about by breaking things off and taking up with some other girl…but the girl he takes up with just so happens to be your other best friend who also happened to be your girlfriend until she broke things off with you on account of the aforementioned other best friend. I wouldn't blame you one bit if you never spoke to me again…Merlin knows I deserve much worse. And I'm not asking you to forgive me or to understand as I'm not sure I would or could do that if the shoe was on the other foot. But I need to tell you…I need you to know that I never wanted any of this. Ginny and me we were each other's fairy tale ending. I was her knight in shining armor and she was my big happy family ready made. That's not what love is though…love is much more than that…and Ginny ought to have the real thing not some sad imitation of it like she had with me. Even if there hadn't of been anyone else just now Ginny and me wouldn't have made it."
Harry took another breath, then continued.
"As for Hermione…I can only say that I'm sorry my loving and needing and wanting her has caused you pain…you're the first friend I ever had…hell you're more like family to me than just a friend…I love you as much as you love any of your own brothers and I'd honestly rather submit to the Cruciatus Curse than hurt you Ron but I've had precious little love in my life that was more than a thought and a memory…and I've learned that life is far to fleeting to waste time on what ifs and what could've beens…I can't deny what I feel for Hermione Ron, not even for you. I'm not asking for forgiveness or understanding and I quite understand your hating me I just thought that all the past years of friendship deserved an honest explanation."
Harry bent down and grasped the handles of his Flourish and Blotts shopping bag and straightening himself up once more added.
"Goodbye Ron."
With that said Harry brushed past Ron and headed up the cobblestone sidewalk in the direction of the Leaky Cauldron. Ron stood there for nearly a minute before he snatched up his parcels from the ground and turning around rushed after Harry. By the time Ron was within hailing distance Harry was just reaching the brick wall that led from Diagon Alley to the Leaky Cauldron, he called out.
"Why did you lie?"
Harry whirled around shock plainly etched across his face. The last thing he's expected was for Ron to come after him. Ron repeated his question.
"Why did you lie?"
Harry frowned in confusion.
"Lie…I haven't lied about any…"
Ron interrupted.
"When we were searching for the horcruxes…the night I came back and pulled you out of that pond…the night I destroyed the locket…after I saw those visions…you told me Hermione was like a sister to you and that you reckoned she felt the same about you, that it had always been that way…why'd you…"
Harry ran a hand through his naturally tousled hair as he interjected.
"Ron I wasn't lying…when I said those words to you that night I honestly meant them…I didn't…"
"You didn't want to say anything because you knew I fancied her."
Ron's words shocked Harry into momentary silence. However, as the words washed over him, Harry had to admit they were true. Ron saw the flash of recognition cross Harry's face and asked.
"When did you know?"
Heaving a sigh Harry answered Ron's question with a question.
"When did I know that I was in love with Hermione?"
Ron nodded. Harry answered his nod with one of his own then said.
"I knew I was in love with her the moment Dudley mistook Hermione and Teddy for my wife and my son..."
"What?!"
Harry waved off Ron's shocked exclamation.
"Long story…point is in that moment I realized if I could have my deepest heart's desire that would be it…she'd be it."
Harry's voice drifted down to a low whisper. Ron looked at the man who had been his closest friend for most of his life and asked matter of factly.
"Have you told Hermione that?"
Harry shook his head. Ron said.
"You should tell her...she'd…it'd be…you should tell her."
It was Harry's turn to nod. Ron asked another question.
"So you two are together then?"
"Yeah, we're testing the waters as it were. Hermione reckons we ought to take things slow…give ourselves sometime to work through everything's that's gone on."
"That's why no one's seen you out together."
Harry inclined his head to signal that Ron had sussed out the truth of things.
"Hermione says it's too soon…and she trying to avoid the stir it's bound to cause in the papers once word gets out."
Ron acquiesced.
"I suppose she's right at that."
Ron nodded his head for several seconds as he stood there staring at Harry, then suddenly he was speaking.
"What you said earlier about you and Ginny trying to live out a fairy tale…well you weren't the only ones. I…I…I was doing the same with Hermione…only I guess mine was the anti-fairy tale. I guess I wanted to prove that the hero didn't always get the girl."
Ron paused for a second then picked up again.
"I'm not sure where I am in all of this, I need more time to sort out how I feel about you being with Hermione and all…but I don't hate you Harry…I don't hate you."
Harry nodded. It seemed as though they stood shrouded in silence for ages but it was hardly more than a minute before Ron pointed over his shoulder and said.
"I should get going…George'll be wondering where I got off to."
Harry hoisted up the bag his was holding in his hand and said.
"Yeah I should be getting on myself as well."
Ron nodded.
"Yeah…well…see you around."
That said Ron turned round and headed back down the street. This time it was Harry who called out.
"It was good talking to you Ron…really good."
Ron stopped and looking back said.
"It was good talking to you too Harry."
As Ron turned away and strode off down the street Harry smiled as he thought maybe just maybe things would turn out alright in the end. He then turned around and disapparated with a crack.
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