Chapter Text
Demelza looked around the common room. There was no one she knew—except Ron.
She sidled up to him, trying not to look too nervous.
“Hey, Demelza,” Ron said gently.
She thought he still felt guilty about that time he’d made her cry.
She herself was still embarrassed about that—who started sobbing just because their teammate was a little mean to everyone!
But that had prompted Harry to say she played well, which was something she still treasured.
Sometimes she thought Ginny was too good for him, though. He’d been rather rude when telling her to pull herself together.
But he was right. Demelza had been ridiculous.
“Dem?” Ron said. “You alright?”
She peered at the parchment he was writing on. “What are you doing?”
“Transfiguration homework, it’s very annoying.”
“Transfiguration is fun,” she objected.
“You’re a third year,” he dismissed. “You haven’t gotten to the tough parts yet.”
She felt herself bristle but knew he was right. “Are NEWTs really that bad?” she asked fearfully. Her older cousins had scared her with all their stories about them.
“Worse,” Ron said grimly. “Quidditch is the only reprieve, and even then, my best mate is captain and my little sister is on the team too. . .” He rolled his eyes.
“You were fine playing with Dean,” she stated more than asked.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” he asked, confused.
“I mean, he’s your sister’s boyfriend,” she said, puzzled.
“Right,” he grumbled. “Thanks, Demelza. I’d almost forgotten about that.”
“Sorry,” she said, small.
“Never mind,” he waved a hand. “Why don’t you sit down? You’re making me nervous lurking like that.”
“Where’s Ginny?” she asked hopefully.
“I’m the superior Weasley, you don’t need her anyway,” Ron joked.
“I like Ginny,” she said loyally.
“We all know you do,” he laughed. “You follow her around like a little duckling.”
Demelza blushed but didn’t try to refute the accusation. It was hopeless anyway.
She did idolize Ginny.
“But why don’t you like Dean?” she queried.
“He just isn’t—right for Ginny,” Ron waved a hand to convey his exasperation.
“Who would be right for Ginny?” she asked, confused. “How would you know?”
“I’m her brother,” he snapped and she backed away. He sighed. “I just mean—Dean isn’t what I picture with Ginny.”
“I don’t think Ginny cares what you picture,” Demelza told him.
He snorted. “Obviously not. But still.” He was silent for a moment. “Look. Dean’s my dormmate. I’ve heard him talk about girls. I don’t want that kind of bloke near my sister.”
“Then what kind of bloke do you want?”
Ron thought for a moment. “Someone nice, but not a pushover. Someone kind, who understands her. Someone who doesn’t take her shit. Someone whom she actually likes. Someone. . .”
He trailed off and Demelza followed his gaze to see Harry climbing through the portrait hole with Ginny. He shot them a smile, but trailed after their teammate instead of coming over to them.
“Like him,” he finished with a whisper.
“Ron?” Demelza asked, concerned.
“I’m going to go,” he announced, packing up his stuff. “To. . . The library. Yeah.”
“The library?” she asked, bewildered.
But Ron was already gone.