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Chapter Text

Kiss

Their first kiss had been rough and unexpected; it will always be one of Harry's favorites.

Ron had yet another nightmare, and Harry had been at his side in a moment. He had gone through the usual moments of calming his distraught friend down, but something was different that night. There was always a point when Ron had finally settled down that he would just collapse into Harry's embrace. The two friends usually fell asleep, but the red head remained frozen above Harry.

Looking back Harry realized he had kissed Ron because of the look in his eyes. Those blue eyes, the eyes that always gave away the redhead's emotions were filled with something Harry had never seen before from Ron.

They were filled with love.

Love.

Harry had realized he had feelings for his best friend for only a short while, but to have those feelings returned... it was almost too perfect to ever be reality. But those blue eyes, those impossibly blue eyes, were looking at Harry with the same expression he had only seen a handful of times.

The look in Ron's eyes gave Harry courage to do something that would change both of their lives forever.

He kissed Ron.

It was chaste at first, neither moved in fear that it wasn't actually happening, but the uncertainty went away. It became rough than, because of some desperation that both men were feeling. Harry's stemmed from the stress of their hunt and Ron's from his whole life changing too fast.

The kiss ended before it became too heated, but it left both men breathing heavy and feeling slightly warm.

The promise of more kisses to come gave them both the best sleep they had in months.

Pie

"Harry, I really think you’re missing something, clearly fruit pie is superior to any other pie." Ron looks dead serious as he says this which is just making Harry's current laughing attack worse.

"Only... only you could have a serious conversation about pie." Harry finally calmed down and Ron gave him a stern look, it wasn't very affective considering his arm was wrapped around Harry's shoulders.

"Just no more talk about serious things right now." Ron nuzzled his nose in Harry's neck and breathed in deeply. Harry was never sure if it was a werewolf thing or a Ron thing but he enjoyed it all the same. Hermione had suggested that Ron never realized anymore when he did things only werewolves seemed to do and Harry couldn't help but agree. It was a sign that Ron was finally accepting what happened to him, and in a deeper sense himself.

"Sometimes I don't understand why you put up with me; I mean clearly I believe that custard pie is the best. We can't be together anymore!" Harry wasn't the funny one nor was he the actor but Ron laughed all the same.

"It's a sacrifice I must make!" Ron gave Harry a large grin, one almost identical to the twins, and kissed Harry lightly on the lips. "I'll have you properly converted to the fruit side in no time."

"Yeah, what if I convert you to the custard side?"

"Yeah, you can try Potter."

Harry was just happy that they would have time to eat pie together in the future.

News

Ronald Weasley, War Hero, a Werewolf? 

"I can't believe that bitch could even publish this! Who even told her?" Harry had never seen George so angry before, he was actually frightening.

"George, it was..."

"Don't you dare say it was going to happen!" George interrupted Ron with a shout and the younger brother shrank back as if hit. "I'm going to make sure Rita Skeeter never picks up a quill again!"

Ron had left the room quietly after his interruption and the moment George realized that he was gone he sank down onto the couch and sighed deeply.

"Harry she wrote that he was dangerous, uncontrollable. Ron, he... he couldn't hurt anyone. I'm just..." George waved his hands in frustration and Harry couldn't help but feel the same way.

"It will all sort itself out. Ron's a registers were so there won't be much of a scandal." Harry was furious, but he couldn't afford to act out on his anger. This wasn't the first time one of his loved ones was attacked by the papers and it wouldn't be the last.

"Harry!" George was still angry but the heat was gone and worry started to kick in. "Everyone will treat him different now. Who knows if he could ever find a job, I mean you know how badly he wants to be an Auror."

Harry put a comforting arm around George's shoulders. After all the years he had known the Weasleys, he found that physical comfort was better than anything that could be said out loud.

Harry stayed there for a while and just gently held George until the older man stopped shaking and all the tension of his shoulders disappeared.

"I better go find Ron and make sure he isn't licking his wounds somewhere." Compared to all his other werewolf related quips, it was weak, but a sign that for now things were okay.

Harry watched out the window as the two brothers sat shoulder to shoulder never saying a word on the steps outside. A plan was forming in his head. If he couldn't undo the fact that Ron was now a well-known werewolf, but he could take off some of the attention.

Hopefully Ron wouldn't be mad.

...

The Chosen One Chooses One: Harry Potter Gives FIRST Exclusive Interview

Harry was beat red by the time all the Weasleys were done reacting to the news. He was disappointed to see that even Percy was laughing in his own quiet way.

"Mate you know I love you, but you didn't have to talk about your sex life to get the attention off of my brother." Charlie slapped Harry's shoulder and the black haired wizard almost fell on his face be the force of it.

"It was very sweet of you dear, but you should have known that Witch Weekly would have made the interview scandalous. It’s why I have a subscription." Molly Weasley was a very sweet woman, but even she was having trouble not laughing.

Harry had been worried about everyone's reaction but the two people he worried about the most were the youngest Weasley siblings.

Ginny had been awkward at first about Harry and Ron's relationship, and the couple had walked egg shells around them until she had told them herself that she was happy for them and relieved that Ron wouldn't die alone. Ginny had been the first to see the article and had promptly waked up everyone at the burrow for people to look at it, laughing the whole time.

Ron's reaction to the article was much more supportive. The moment Harry had walked into the dining room Ron had pulled him down onto his lap and started kissing him everywhere. Harry had a feeling he would have gone farther if his family wasn't all sitting there with him.

Harry wasn't sitting on Ron's lap anymore but he was sitting close enough to the taller man’s side to feel his body warmth. Their fingers were intertwined under the table, and Ron would occasionally rub circles across his knuckles with his thumb.

When eventually the laughing stopped and everyone was digging into some of Mrs. Weasley's famous pies (Ron had cherry and Harry had custard), Ron leaned in and whispered into Harry's ear.

"I love you, even though you like custard better than cherry, you talk in your sleep, and are absolutely horrid at interviews."

Regret

The pair had fights before, what couple didn't fight after all, but it hadn't been this extreme for years.

"I'm sure Ron will come along eventually... he's just taking out his frustrations on not being by your side on your new partner." Hermione, always the voice of reason, made a valid point. Harry had started Auror training while Ron worked for George at the shop. He had been worried about Harry starting missions without him, but everyone agreed that with Fred gone, George needed Ron more than Harry.

"I'm just frustrated with him Hermione." Harry put his head in his hands and breathed deeply, willing his anger to go away. He was just tired when it came down to it. "It’s not just the issue with Adams either, Ron's been so moody lately it’s like those first few months after he got bit all over again."

"Find time to sit down and talk, communication is important." Hermione pulled Harry into a warm hug and Harry found himself melting into the warmth.

"I'll try my best."

...

"He was lying when he said his name. I could hear his heart rate go faster!"

"You sure it wasn't because he was afraid of you? You weren't exactly being friendly." Ron growled in frustration and Harry could see the animosity flash in his eyes.

"Harry, I'm telling you the bloody tosser can't be trusted!" Somehow their conversation had moved from the living room into the hall and Ron was standing right next to the front door.

"Well maybe you’re just jealous of him!" Harry regretted saying it the moment the words left his mouth. He clasped his mouth shut as if willing the words to disappear. Ron's jealousy had always been a touchy issue with both of them but over the years he had outgrown almost all of it.

"Just... just be careful Harry." Harry had been too surprised to stop Ron from leaving. Ron was always passionate, but those last few words were filled with such hurt it was like Harry had stabbed his best friend, his partner in everything even love.

He stayed there staring at the door for what felt like hours but in reality had only been a few minutes. He had a job to do first, he could fix things when he got home.

...

"Potter!" Harry stopped from grabbing the port key to see the Minister of Magic himself running towards him. Kingsley looked panicked and it took a lot to worry the man. Harry instantly tensed and grabbed at his wand for reassurance.

"What's wrong?" He didn't mean for his voice to waver but he was panicking.

"It’s about your new partner Jason Adams."

"What happened is he alright?" Harry was supposed to be meeting Adams in less than fifteen minutes for a procedure steak out on an old Death Eater hang out.

"He was supposed to report in earlier but when he didn't we sent someone to his apartment." Images of a dead Jason Adams filled his head and Harry took in a deep breath. "His apartment was filled with stuff I've only seen in dungeons. There was blood and chains everywhere."

"Oh God." Ron was right and now there was a madman on the loose probably killing innocent people.

"The situation gets worse Harry, we found," Kingsley's hands were tight fished on files. His knuckles were white. "There were dead bodies Harry, most of them had been skinned alive. And there was a wall full of pictures of every victim." Kingsley handed Harry the files and Harry felt his heart stop.

There right on top of all the photos was a picture of Ron.

...

"Please stay with me, the healers will be here any minute." Harry's voice broke but he couldn't find himself to care. His hands were holding what was left of his cloak into a nasty looking wound on Ron's side. He had found the taller man tied onto a surgical table naked and bleeding.

He was losing too much blood.

Above hint he could hear a battle going on between Adams, his goons, and several aurors. Luckily Adams was surprised and they would be defeated easily. Right now though his teammates were the least of his concerns.

"Oth... others." A cough racked the redhead and Harry became more frantic when he saw the blood.

"We have other people working on that, lets worry about you." Harry was calm now that he had gotten over the shock of everything. His head was in the game and he only had one goal: keep Ron alive.

"I'm... I'm really tired." Ron started to close his eyes and Harry broke out of the calm he was feeling before.

Harry hadn't even realized he was screaming till they took Ron away from him.

...

"He's should be awake before the next full moon, and all of Mr. Weasley's injuries are healing nicely." Harry quietly thanked the doctor and turned on his attention to the pale redhead sleeping on the hospital bed.

"I know we need to talk, and that things aren't perfect; but I almost lost you. I can't lose you Ron, you've always been there by my side... and I... I know we don't say it enough but I love you."

There was no reply, but Harry felt like his message was given.

"I never want regrets Ron."

Running

If anyone would have asked Harry a few years ago that one day he would be wearing bright orange spandex shorts, a mesh green tank top, and bright trainers; he would have thought that person took one to many bludgers to the brain. If you told him that his werewolf boyfriend and his best friend was also wearing the same thing and that they were running a marathon for a charity; Harry would have paid for the psychiatric bill himself.

Things change though and so do people and right now he wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

"Man this is bloody brilliant! Who knew muggles could be so clever?" Harry couldn't help but smile at Ron's enthusiasm. Ron had always been the most physical of the trio and had become even more so after being bitten by a werewolf. Ron had picked up running to calm himself down and to help "tame his beast."

Harry knew it was Ron's way of getting away from everything, it’s the same with Hermione going to read and Harry going for a fly.

It was Hermione's idea for the three of them to join the muggles marathon. Ron had agreed the moment Hermione explained what a marathon was. Harry was reluctant to join but one puppy dog look later and he found himself buying matching outfits with his two best friends.

Looking around at all the other runners Harry felt less ridiculous. Although he was intrigued on how someone could run a marathon in a suit of armor.

His thoughts came back to his best friends as they laughed at something that Harry had obviously missed, but it didn't bother him. Harry found that he couldn't be bothered by anything right now, he was with the two most important people in his life, and no one there even knew who he was. It was brilliant.

"I think it’s about to start!" Ron resembled a young child and it made Harry's heart melt. He hadn't been this happy in what seemed like a long time.

At the sound of the gun they all started running, and Harry couldn't help think that they weren't running away from the past, but towards the future.

Fur

The fur was warm and soft under his fingers, and Harry loved every inch of its auburn and ginger color.

It helped that he loved the man who wore the fur.

They had only started doing this recently with much reluctance from Ron. Hermione had suggested, after reading yet another book on werewolves, that Harry be there for the controlled transformation that the wolf get familiar with him. In theory the more the wolf recognized someone that was safe if Ron were to turn without taking his potion that Harry should be able to calm him down.

Ron had laughed darkly and told Hermione that without the potion the only way to subdue the beast would be to kill it. 

After a month of arguments the three had come to an agreement. Harry and Hermione would stay outside the room until the transformation was done and only one of them was allowed to come in after they heard a scratch on the door. That person (usually Harry, sometime Hermione and once Bill) would wait for Ron to come to them and wouldn't touch him till given permission.

They had come a long way since Hermione's experiment, but Ron was scared something bad might happen one day. In truth, they were all scared. There was a reason werewolves and other weres were feared. When in control of themselves they could be dangerous, and when out of control the results were usually deadly.

Now however with Harry scratching Ron's furry belly with his massive paws hanging in the air and his tongue lawed out to one side; he couldn't even imagine his lover ever being deadly.

Those happy thoughts were always followed by reminders of the violent nightmares, the painful transformation, and that horrible night a few years ago when Ron had forgotten to take his potion.

Ron, sensing that Harry was clearly upset about something had gotten up and had licked his face. Harry laughed softly and ranked his hands through the thick and warm fur.

Scars

Harry bent down to kiss the scar on Ron's left side. It was an action both men were very familiar with, it was how they showed thanks that the scar hadn't been their last to gain.

Ron in turn kisses the newest set of scars that Harry had on his upper thigh. They were still slightly red and would hurt every once in a while if Harry turned the wrong way.

They continued on with their kisses of thanks till both of them were only focused on the other. It was raw, and emotional, and oddly beautiful in its own way.

Scars were a reminder that they were still alive and that they had more time to spend with another. More time to argue about pies, to go running or flying, to fight and to laugh. It was a reminder that they had more time to love.

Fight

They all knew that this would happen eventually, it was foolish to think otherwise. The war against Voldemort had flipped the wizarding world, and it was plain to everyone that changes had to be made.

The ministry was better than it had been in centuries but it was still unstable and although he tried his hardest Kingsley couldn't stop all the threats that rose from the ashes of Voldemort's former army.

Over the last few years the Aurors and members of the Order of the Pheonix have been doing their best to deal with threats, but it was a cover for something bigger. Voldemort's former followers had learned from his mistakes and had set new goals.

They didn't win the previous war with luck alone, plans were made, and the side of light was ready. The best strategists in the previous war had met together with strategists from the younger generation to team up and use ideas. Muggle-borns brought in fresh dead from the muggles world, and their technology gave the good side an element of surprise.

This battle would determine if there was going to be a war, it could not be lost.

Leaders on both sides had determined the date for the battle, it had been argued on, but in the end the date had been chosen. The second full moon of summer.

That was the reason why his other half stood by his side on four legs instead of two.

Harry had never seen so many weres in one place. Both sides seemed to have an equal amount, the only difference being that the bad weres were feral, and uncontrolled. They were the wild cards on both sides. No one liked it, but they would have to deal with it.

The battle plan had included the weres the best they could, but they were unpredictable following on instinct instead of thought. Even if they were on a potion weres had a hard time fighting their most basic instinct to survive, and many people lost to the side of the beast if they let that instinct consume them.

People, Harry had thought at the time, were not much different.

The nights following up to the big fight had been filled with last minute preparations and last minute celebrations. People on both sides of the upcoming battle were celebrating their lives in every way they could. It was amazing as well as terrible knowing the last night with friends, family, enemies, and lovers could be your last.

Harry and Ron had nearly consumed one another in their desperate need to live before they died. To have no regrets and to love all that they could. They also made promises, sweet nothings into the night of what ifs.

One promise Harry had made chilled him to his core.

"If I lose control, if you can't see that spark of humanity you need to kill me Harry. I can't live my life as a monster."

Harry had agreed reluctantly, but if it came down to it, he would do what Ron had asked of him. It might be easier to join him as another monster, but Harry could never do that to the other people that cared about him.

"It won't happen," He had said it, and Harry would make sure it didn't happen. "You always come back."

Ron never said anything more, they had just held another one last night.

A low growl sound snapped Harry out of his thoughts and he looked into the eyes of his best friend, the person he'd miss most, and knew that no matter what they would have each other.

Now it was time to fight.

Love

Love was continuing a silly argument over pies, on whether fruit was superior to custard or vice versa.

Love was putting on ridiculous outfits to do nothing more than run, to forget about the troubles of life.

Love was trying not to have regrets.

Love was rough kisses over scars new and old.

Love was fighting for a better tomorrow.

Love was fighting the fear of the beast to see the person beneath.

Love was one young man putting his life on the line to bring back the person he loved most. Love was fighting the monster that his lover had become during the brink of war. Love was trying to help the other remember what it was like to become human.

Love is what brought Ron back to Harry when all hope seemed lost.