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Ron isn’t an idiot. Contrary to what many believe he can spot the obvious sighs of whatever was going on with Harry and Draco. While it may have taken him a bit longer, he still eventually figured it out on his own. Maybe he also needed Hermione and the Universe to help him by hinting at for nearly 6 months, but could you blame him? This is his childhood best friend and it’s just kind of hard to believe that he would like Malfoy.
This is the 5 times Ron went without realizing that Draco and Harry were together and the 1 time he finally came to realize how close they actually were.
1.
Ron walked into their shared common. He, at first, disliked the fact that McGonagall had combined the common room for the students returning to Hogwarts for a ‘8th’ year but, now, he found the variety of people kind of welcoming. The way the teachers set it up, every person would be housed with someone from a different house, Ron didn’t mind his roommate as much as before, not that he would ever call them a friend. They were closer than before but at most they were acquaintances.
But that doesn’t matter right now.
Ron spotted Harry and Malfoy studying at a table close to the fireplace. Both of them sitting on the ground, legs under the short table, and their backs against the sofa. He smiled at Harry, though he didn’t seem to see him.
Instead, he was too busy trying to explain something to Malfoy through his laughs. Malfoy seemed irritated as he rolled his eyes playfully and shot Harry a look. To which Harry only giggled harder.
Ron was happy that Harry had found another study buddy. He knew that Harry wasn’t gaining anything from studying with him or Hermione. He knew enough for all the questions Ron asked him about certain things were more of a nuance than something that helped him. With Hermione, she loved all the questions Ron threw at her. She had said that it was kind of like a mini-impromptu test. Why she even wanted more work was beyond Ron, but whatever made her happy.
Hermione on the other hand was ok to study with. But she was very fast paced with the way she worked on essays and assignments. Harry liked to work on his own pace. Taking breaks every now and then. Harry and Hermione were so opposite in the way they liked to study that it was almost pointless for the two to voluntarily to want to study together as, besides the company, they couldn’t really help each other because Harry could be working on something Hermione had finished ages ago, long enough to for them to have already forgot most of it, and vice versa.
Either way, Harry was in a lose-lose situation with whoever he studies with. Ron hoped that Draco and Harry were a better match when it came to this.
He smiled at the pair and brushed off any doubts of the Malfoy hurting Harry in any way. They were all 18 now, even if Malfoy did something to Harry, Harry could protect himself. Plus, Harry’s fought He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named (and won), he can take on someone like Malfoy. I mean honestly there was greater chance of Harry protecting Ron than the other way round.
2.
The second hint the universe tried to throw at Ron happened shortly after the first.
Ron was tasked with borrowing a book from Harry that Hermione needed. She was in such a rush to get to a lunch with Luna that she had asked him He gladly accepted the challenge as it gave him an excuse to chat with Harry and catch up with him. Ever since he started studying with Malfoy, they both hadn’t had time to meet up and just hang out.
Ron wandered down the hall and eventually found Harry and Draco’s shared room. Ron didn’t think Malfoy could be that good of a roommate but he also hadn’t heard Harry complaining about it much. He assumed that the both of them just didn’t interact with the other much, outside of studying every so often.
Ron approached Harry’s door and shook the handle, only to find that it was locked. He then proceeded to knock on the door. He waited a few second before trying and knocking again. “One second!” Harry called out to him.
Ron eventually heard the *click* of the door unlocking. McGonagall had insisted on getting magic proof muggle locks. She didn’t want the students to be casting spells in the dorms. It took quite a while to get used to, but now it felt weird the lock a door without hearing the *click*.
Ron opened the door to Harry with his hair messy, nothing out of the ordinary there, but his clothes were also a bit muddled. His tie was hanging loosely from his neck, as it had been pulled on, and a few buttons on his shirt were undone. Not to mention that Malfoy was in the same state hanging out on Harry’s bed. Even his hair was a bit scruffy. For someone like Malfoy its utterly horrifying to see him in such a state.
If that wasn’t enough to clue someone in on what they were doing and why the door was locked, Harry’s cheeks were flustered, his bed looked like someone was rolling about in it, and Harry’s glasses were crooked as if he had put them on in a rush.
Anyone with two eyes could tell what was going on with the two, but not Ron. He turned to Harry and mindlessly asked, “What were you two doing?”
Harry giggled and turned back to Draco, to which he rolled his eyes in a lighthearted way. “Oh, you know… studying.” He ran a hand through his hair to move the pieces that had fallen in front of his eyes. Ron nodded.
“Could I borrow the book you needed from the library the other day? It’s for transfiguration and Hermione needs it for something.” Ron asked while smiling at him friend.
“Of course, let me find it.” Harry said quickly before looking around the room. He started to dig through his chest. He searched for it for a few moments before moving onto his bedside table. Once again opening every drawer, hoping that it was in there.
At this point Harry was starting to get frustrated, Ron could tell in the way he shut the drawers just a bit harder. Surprisingly, Malfoy rolled over and grabbed Harry’s hand. He said something soft enough for Ron to not hear where he stood still by the doorway. Harry’s face contorted from confused to as if he was remembering something. He gently chuckled to himself.
At this point Ron assumed Draco would let go. But he didn’t. His hand lingered on Harry’s just a tad too long. It was weird. But Harry continued on his way and found the book on his desk, hidden under a few papers.
Harry walked over to him with the book. Ron gratefully took and left, not wanting to disturb their studying anymore than he already did. He hated to admit it, but it was good that Harry wasn’t spending all his time with him and was instead doing important things. Ron still left disappointed over the fact he couldn’t have stayed longer to chat, but exams were coming soon, so he couldn’t really blame Harry for studying so much.
3.
There were a few more incidents after that one, but none were as notable or impressive.
The next big one came in a few days before they were to go on winter vacation. Hermione, Ron, and Harry were hanging out in the common room just chatting and catching up.
Ron looked up from the letter he was writing to his mum. He needed to know when they would be coming to put it in the letter he was just about to send. “Hey mate?” Harry hummed and continued to write the letter in front of him.
“When do you want to head to the Burrow?” Ron asked while mindlessly twirling his quill between his fingers.
Harry sighed and looked up at Ron. “Actually, I’m not going this year.” He said before going back to writing.
Ron was taken aback. Harry was practically family and to not have him at the Burrow, this year was going to be strange. For the last 7 years, Harry had also been there and was kind almost expected to be there.
“Why?” He asked him genuinely. Ron looked back down at his letter; he needed a way to make sure his mum wouldn’t keep pestering him about Harry. He decided to write down whatever reason Harry couldn’t make it. Hopefully letting his mum know in advanced that Harry wasn’t able to come would have her already over it when he came.
Harry smiled and happily said, “I made plans with Draco this year. I hope you don’t mind.”
Ron was about to put his quill to the parchment when the words sunk in. He knew Harry and Malfoy were friends, but not this close. Ron had no idea that Harry was close enough to Malfoy for him to spend winter with him. He was skipping out on them for Malfoy.
To Ron, this was surprisingly strange. Why would Harry ever want to go on a vacation alone with Malfoy? Maybe they made plans and they couldn’t reschedule. Well, if that’s the case then Hermione and him could come along. Harry wouldn’t be alone with Malfoy and probably be bored and they still got to spend holiday together.
“Well, if you can’t come to the Burrow then why don’t me and Hermione come with you guys?” Ron asked as he grinned at him, happy that he had found a possible solution. But to his surprise, Hermione started to choke on her tea and Harry looked extremely puzzled.
The room went silent. The kind of silent that happens after someone asks or does something uncomfortable. Along with the silence came a tension. Hermione cleared her throat breaking the awkward tension. She shot him a look.
“Uh. If you truly want to come with us, we would have to get another room. It’s a trip for two. If you’re sure I can ask for a second room but I didn’t know that you guys did these types of things together.” Harry said while fidgeting with his hair. Hermione seemed to caught on and shook her head.
“No, I’m just going spend the next two weeks at the Burrow. Thank you though.” Hermione stated before going back to reading the book in her hands.
“I guess I’ll stay with Hermione.” Ron said still kind of confused of their reactions.
Ron brushed off whatever strange feelings he still had about the whole thing and continued to write his letter making sure to add that Harry wasn’t coming this year with a simplified answer as to why.
Even after all of them left for their respective vacations Ron still couldn’t help, but question why Hermione would say no to coming along with Malfoy and Harry. But Ron would probably get into some sort of trouble with this mum if he went on that trip instead of coming home. So, maybe it was for the best that he didn’t come.
4.
Hermione walked to her next class with Ron beside her. He didn’t go to this class but it was close to where he was heading, so they were going together. It was quite nice to finally just chat with each other. It wasn’t about school or anything serious, it lighthearted and fun.
It was so lovely to finally just catch up.
“Pansy… um,” Hermione paused and glanced towards Ron while still walking. “She asked me out, we’re going out next Friday.”
Ron nodded and grinned at her. “That’s great! I’m going out this Friday as well.” Hermione gasped and smiled towards her friend.
“Who?” She asked excitedly. Ron chuckled at her excitement and shook his head.
“It’s nothing like that. We’re just lonely. All of our friends are busy and we don’t want to be alone in dorms.” Ron said casually. It really was them just being friends because all of their friends were busy. Blaise was just his roommate and maybe friend. That’s all it was. But Hermione didn’t seem satisfied with his answer.
“You didn’t tell who it was.” Hermione teased him. “Are you hiding something or someone?” She looked smugly in his direction.
Ron rolled his eyes and pushed her away in a playful manner. “No. It’s just Blaise.” He tried to reassure her, though it only seemed to intrigue her more.
She hummed in response. “Your roommate? What might you two doing in that room?” She giggled. Hermione had defiantly become more comfortable with him and Harry through the years. He loves that she’s so comfortable around him, or at least enough for her to do this. But at the same time, he misses when she talked about school more.
“Speaking of roommates. I just don’t understand how Harry and Malfoy became so close so fast. I mean it feels like yesterday when they hated each other.” Ron said confused.
Hermione mumbled something under her breath. “Huh?” Ron said almost automatically.
“It’s just… Is it that surprising? I mean after all these years of… dancing around each other. I’m kind of glad they finally made peace with it.” Hermione said softly with a gentle smile. Ron chuckled.
“You mean the fighting? I wouldn’t exactly call that dancing.” Ron commented.
“What do you mean?” Hermione asked him confused.
“I mean it’s quite surprising that they’re friends.” Ron said causing Hermione to stop in her tracks. Ron soon also stopped when he noticed his friend wasn’t beside him anymore.
“Do… do you not know?” She asked him slowly.
“What?” He cluelessly asked. What is there to know? Harry and Malfoy are friends now, how is that not surprising?
“Ron, they’re gay.” Hermione responded while grabbing his shoulders and shaking him lightly.
Ron simply burst out laughing. Hermione stared at him confused. Ron fake wiped a tear from his eye. “Hermione, Harry’s bi. He already told us. And I don’t what Malfoy is, but I don’t care, it’s Malfoy. Why should I care?”
Hermione gawked him, her mind trying compute the words that had come out of his mouth. “Ron… I-uh,” The words to explain his wrongfulness were just not coming out. “I- I have to get to class.” She eventually said before quickly walking away from a very confused Ron.
Ron was worried. Why would Hermione react to Harry’s sexuality like that? It’s quite rude. But Ron once again shook it off and continued walking to where he was supposed to go.
Hermione acted weird for the rest of the day, staring at him when they met up and during meals. It was odd. It was almost as if she was waiting for him to say something. Like he made a joke and was about to admit to it. He was a bit creeped out by it. Though by the next day, she had stopped and everything seemed normal. Or as normal as it gets for them.
5.
Ron walked into the common room with Blaise next to him, a bag full of much-needed school supplies in one of his hands. While out on their totally-not-a-date they had gone out shopping for a few essentials. Before they decided to head back to drop the stuff and going back out to grab some food.
Along the way they passed by the couches in front of the fireplace. On which were Malfoy and Harry with the latter sitting on the others lap. The sight made Blaise roll his eyes. “They don’t have to rub it in our faces.” He commented quietly towards Ron.
This was when Ron glanced over to the pair. He didn’t mind it as much as Blaise seemed to as he and Hermione cuddled all the time. It wasn’t that strange for friends to cuddle like that.
Ron looked at them closer and cocked (lol) his head. Harry had a book on his lap that he seemed to be intently reading while Malfoy rested his head on Harry’s shoulder. Harry would remark on the book every so often and every time he did so, Malfoy would respond with a hum or something in return sparking a discussion between the two. Their interactions flowing so easy.
While it may seem creepy, Ron couldn’t look away from the two that seemed so trapped in their own little world that they hadn’t even noticed them. He watched as Malfoy leaned back with Harry still on him and Harry just accepting it and leaning back with him. He saw the way that periodically Malfoy would move strands of Harry’s hair out of his face.
Ron just stared at the two, analyzing their dynamic. Until Blaise eventually just grabbed the bags from his hands. “I’m going to put these away, you can continue to stare them.” He said before calmly walking away to their dorm.
Ron shook himself out of it. He didn’t want to be there anymore. It felt as if he was watching something he shouldn’t, even if they were still in the common room. He meets up with Blaise in their dorm and they walked to lunch together as they had agreed upon.
While searching for a place to eat they stumbled upon a small café. As much as they liked the Three Broomsticks, the place always seemed packed, especially on a Friday afternoon during an extended weekend. Ron shivered at the thought of trying to make his way to a table through the hordes of students.
Not to mention that they didn’t have Harry with them at the moment. As much as Harry denied it, Ron’s just saying that somehow every time he goes with him the tables seem to magically appear.
They quickly went inside, excited to see what the place was like as both had never been. The door made a *ding* as they opened it. The place on the inside was completely filled phoenix paraphernalia. Well, it makes sense the name of the café is ‘Phoenix Coffee Bar.’
It was a bit of strange name for place in Hogsmeade. But Ron didn’t care much as the place smelled absolutely delightful. Just like the muggle coffee shops Hermione had taken him to over break.
The café also seemed very muggle inspired with décor. With much of the same aesthetic as the ones in the muggle world. The place was mostly white with a few firely accents along the walls with some continuing on the floor.
When they walked in, they immediately saw a big glass display full of different desserts and treats. Above that was a sign with the names of the coffees and treats they served. Under the names were small descriptions of what everything was. On the corners of the sigh were outlines of phoenixes and flowy fire looking lines.
Blaise orders and pay for the both of them. Ron gratefully thanked him and promised himself to repay Blaise later. Before walking over to a table, close enough to the display case, but far enough away for the cold breeze that came in every time the door was opened to not hit them.
They quickly received their food and drinks. Ron smiled at her and Blaise once again thanked her.
Blaise and Ron talked while drinking and eating the coffee and the pastries they bought. They chatted over strange things they saw when they walked through Hogsmeade. Over how much the place had changed through the years. Their conversation flowed from one subject to another and they happily ate as they did.
“-for Malfoy! He passed us up for-” Ron was cut off by the door once again making the *ding* sound. He turned around out of curiosity.
In entered Pansy and Hermione, who hadn’t seemed to noticed them yet. It didn’t take them long. Bright Weasley red hair isn’t that common. Hermione waved, her face calm but her movements almost making it seem as if she was nervous. Ron chuckled at this; Hermione Granger nervous over a girl.
Blaise leaned into the table and whispered. “First date?” Ron turned back to him and nodded.
Once Pansy and Hermione had finished ordering the two came over to their table. “Mind if we sit?” Parkinson asked them.
Ron shrugged. “Sure.”
They sat on their square table with Hermione across from Pansy and Ron across from Blaise. Once seated, Hermione scooted her chair closer to Ron.
“How has your day been?” She asked him. Ron noted that she kept playing with her hair, twilling it between her fingers.
“Strange.” Ron responded. “I saw Harry on Malfoy’s lap-” Hermione choked on her drink. Ron patted her on the back before continuing. “It was like they were in their own little world. They even didn’t notice me and I was standing there for a good 10 minutes!”
Hermione snickered slightly. “It does seem like that these days. In their own little world off somewhere away from us peasants.” She said sarcastically. Ron nodded, agreeing with her.
“I still find it strange how the two of them became friends so fast.” Hermione was about to say something but Ron spoke before she could. “I know it’s been a long time coming. But can’t I find it a bit weird how they went cursing each other every night to studying.”
Pansy snorted. “Yeah, ‘studying’.” She said using her fingers as quotations marks.
Ron was confused by her remark but ignored it and continued. “I get that we’re getting the NEWTs this year, but does Harry really have to skip out on us every evening to study with Malfoy.” He ranted towards Hermione.
Hermione once again felt absolutely stranded in how she was meant to explain this to Ron. She just shook her head and audibly face palmed.
“Oh, they sure love to study very loudly.” Blaise sarcastically remarked. Pansy beside him snorted.
Ron looked around the table, trying to figure out what the lot of them were on about. He turned to Hermione and asked, “What are they on about?”
“They're together, Ron.” She attempted to explain, hoping that it would go better than last time.
“I know, I just told you they study together.” Ron answered.
Pansy wheezed with Blaise next to her laughing. Hermione sighed and took a long sip of her coffee.
Ron just looked at each one of them, still very confused on how Hermione seemed to have missed what he had said.
Everyone at the table finally calmed down. Despite their best efforts in trying to make Ron understand, Blaise and Ron leave the table with Ron still questioning what was going with everyone.
Though the people at the table didn’t mention it or bring it up during dinner later that day, Ron couldn’t shake the feeling like he was missing something. Something that everyone else somehow knew. But just as the other times, Ron tried ignoring it. Hoping that the feeling was wrong that he hadn’t missed something huge. While he tried, the feeling followed him even as he closed his eyes waiting for the darkness to take over.
+1
Ron walked into breakfast room in the 8th year dorms. McGonagall was kind enough to give them a nice place to eat in peace. The house elves still made the food but it was just transported into a much, much smaller dinning room. The table itself was just as the ones in the Great Hall but scaled down.
People generally stuck to their own groups. Since there were so few students that did come back to finish their education, there was only ever really about 2 or 3 groups. 3 groups in the beginning before the silver trio and gold trio turned into one friend group.
Ron sat down next to Hermione and in front of Blaise, the only strange thing was that Harry and Malfoy weren’t here yet. While Ron did try getting up on time every day, but Harry and Malfoy, especially, were there before him.
Ron kind of didn’t care much. They were both 18 and while they were more responsible than him, it wasn’t like they never slept in.
Eventually, as Ron started to pile the food and his plate and chat with his friends. Harry and Malfoy groggily walked into the room. Harry was giggling at something Malfoy said, he threw his head back. They stopped right as they were about to sit on separate sides of the table as usual.
Only instead of immediately going to their seats, Harry turned to Malfoy and kissed him. Ron couldn’t look away as they did. It wasn’t like they were making out or anything, but Ron was processing the scene before him.
Suddenly each piece of the puzzle fell into place. Ron’s mind raced from to every memory that he had ignored. “Bloody hell.” He muttered as the realization kicked in. Hermione sympathetically patted him on the back.
“Ron, are you ok?” Harry asked as he sat down on the bench next to him.
“You’re dating M-malfoy.” Ron stated, still in shock over the whole thing really.
Harry chuckled. “Yeah, wasn’t it obvious?” He then turned back to the food in front of him.
“Y-you weren’t studying all the time?” Ron asked, hoping that what he thinks happened didn’t.
“Ron, we were never studying.” Harry said, not think much of it.
“So, when I… walked in… and you were with him half dressed… Oh my god.” Ron paused every so often.
Pansy snorted. “What did you think they were doing?” She looked at him, waiting for an answer.
“Studying.” He merely replied.
It was then that the whole group just burst out laughing over the absurdness of it all. However, Ron was just looking between Harry and Malfoy. His mind just not wanting believe that he had missed this all. He had somehow missed his best mate being in a relationship for at least 6 months.
Ron covered his mouth with one of his hands and gagged. “I walked in on you two shagging!” The full realization setting in.
His friends just laughed harder.