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Ron sat in a far corner of the Hogwarts library. It was his favorite spot. Somewhere he could be invisible, if only for a little bit. Although it had become quite a difficult feat ever since he first presented as an omega in fifth year. That’s when alphas started to flock around Ron. They would announce that they would try their hand in courting Ron. And Ron being embarrassed by the attention would politely decline. The interaction would always end with the alpha making a comment about how Weasley omegas weren’t “good enough” and the same alpha getting a bloody nose. It had, however, been a while since then.
Ron stared at the parchment resting on his knees. Transfiguration wasn’t his strong suit. It was especially difficult when McGonagall insisted on omegas to only learn the theories of advanced transfiguration. That was another part of why Ron hated being an omega. Ron hated that everyone treated omegas as delicate precious things that needed protecting. He also hated that his body had betrayed him and turned him into the delicate, petite omega that every alpha witch and wizard think omegas are.
Well, not everyone was like that. Betas really didn’t care about the hierarchy as much as alphas. Especially Harry. Ron bit his lip and gripped his quill harder. He should stop thinking about Harry. Nothing good ever came from it. But Harry, he was perfect. If only he wasn’t a beta. Perhaps him being a beta was a good thing. Perhaps the right alpha would take Harry.
Ron shook his head. He needed to concentrate on this paper. McGonagall made it clear that it was to be six inches long. Ron pursed his lips and twirled his finger in his long red hair in an attempt to concentrate. That moment of concentration was broken by the door to the library being opened with a loud bang and footsteps running up to Ron.
He didn’t need to look up to know it was Harry. Harry had always smelled of butterbeer. To be honest it was the only scent that could ground Ron. Nothing like the harsh, dominant musk of an alpha. It smelled like Harry. And to Ron that was enough.
“Ron!” Harry greeted him in his usual excitement.
Ron looked up then. He saw that Harry was out of breath but his green eyes were sparkling with not only excitement but with fondness as well. He had a large smile on his face to which Ron couldn’t help but smile back at.
“Harry,” Ron greeted back.
Harry gestured to the empty seat beside Ron. “Mind if I sit here?”
“No, go ahead,” Ron said.
Harry took his seat and let out a sigh. “You have no idea how long it took me to find you.”
Ron looked at him puzzled. “What do you mean?”
Harry leaned back in his chair. “I mean with all the different classes and common rooms based on designation. It’s hard to keep track of everyone.”
“Oh. I suppose so,” Ron replied. “But why did you want to see me?”
Harry let out a breath. “So you know how alphas are allowed to court omegas, right? But I was thinking maybe I could court you? I know I’m a beta and you probably want to go out with–”
Ron grabbed Harry by the shoulders. “Harry, breathe.”
Harry closed his eyes and did what Ron instructed. When he opened his eyes again he began to speak.
“What I’m asking is, would you do me the honors of allowing me to court you, properly?”
Ron stared at him. “You’re serious.”
Harry shifted in his seat. “Yeah. So is it a yes or a no?”
Ron felt his eyes water and his cheeks turning red. Not out of embarrassment but from the fact that Harry would even ask. It was something that Ron had wished would happen but now here he was asking Ron.
Ron couldn’t contain his excitement any longer. “Yes, I’ll go.”
Harry’s smile widened. “Yeah? That’s good.”
Harry stood up to leave but Ron stopped him.
“Wait. Where would we be going?”
“Hogsmeade, of course,” Harry replied.
“It’s not the weekend.”
“I’ll talk to McGonagall.”
With that Harry left the library, leaving Ron stunned. Was this actually happening or was it all in his head? He stared at the door. His Transfiguration paper was long forgotten.
***
The omega common room was right next door to the medical wing. Madam Pomfrey had once suggested that this was because omegas going into heat would be disastrous. Ron hated that she was probably right. He stood in front of a large wooden door. There was nothing remarkable about it. The door only opened to an omega’s scent.
“Chocolate frogs,” Ron said.
The door creaked open and Ron popped inside. The omega common room was larger than Gryffindor Tower. It was beautiful in its own subjective way. The entire room was draped in pastels, plush rugs and velvet chairs. Lace curtains covered the windows, they rustled as the autumn breeze blew through them. As much as he hated this room, Ron couldn’t help but feel that he’ll miss it. Of course he had only been in this common room for three years, he did for the most part like it.
Ron moved through the room. He needed to confide in someone and that someone was sitting in the furthermost corner. Her back was turned to the rest of the room. When Ron approached her, she didn’t jump. Instead she slowly turned around and gave Ron a soft smile.
“Hello, Ron,” Luna said.
Ron took a seat across from her. “Hey, Luna.”
“You seem distracted. Is this about Harry?”
The fact that Luna can always tell if Ron was thinking about Harry scared him. Was it really that noticeable that he was thinking of him?
“Yeah. It is. He asked me to allow him to court me.”
Luna smiled. “How wonderful. When?”
“Whenever he talks to McGonagall about Hogsmeade.”
“Well, it seems everything must be in order. But that’s not really the reason why you’ve come to talk to me, is it?”
“What if I mess it up? What if I’m–”
Luna stopped him. “Ron. I think Harry asked you because you are good enough. And besides it’s not like there are anymore seventh year alpha suitors for you. I distinctly remember you giving Malfoy a black eye.”
“He deserved it,” Ron muttered.
Luna reached across the table and took her hand into his. She gave it a small reassuring squeeze. “See? You’ll be alright. Harry will take care of you.”
Ron’s eyes flicked from their joined hands to Luna’s eyes. He squeezed Luna’s hand in response. “Yeah. I suppose you’re right.”
Luna let go of Ron’s hand. “Now, we wait.”
***
It was lunch when Harry gave Ron the news. Ron sat with the other omegas. A plate of food was in front of him but he couldn’t stomach it. Luna, who was sitting beside him, noticed because of course she would.
“You’re not eating,” she said.
“I can’t,” Ron said.
“Is this about Harry again?”
“What if this was a big mistake accepting this? I wouldn’t know what to do.”
Luna sighed. “Do you think Harry knows what he’s doing?”
Ron blinked. He hadn’t really thought of that. Betas usually don’t court omegas, so would a beta know how?
Ron sighed. “Okay, fine. Harry probably doesn’t know either. It doesn’t mean–”
Ron was interrupted by the sound of the Great Hall doors opening. Heavy footsteps accompanied them. It was Harry.
Harry ran over to the table where Ron was sitting while everyone watched with anticipation.
“Ron, McGonagall said yes,” Harry said as he caught his breath.
Ron stared up at him and smiled. “That’s good.”
Harry ran his hand through his hair. “There’s a downside though. Can’t stay for very long.”
“Well, that’s alright with. When did you want to go?”
Harry smiled. “How about after lunch? If that’s alright with you.”
“Yeah, that’s, yeah.”
“Good. I’ll see you then.”
Harry ran out of the Great hall and possibly towards the beta common room. Ron stared after him along with the other students. That’s when the whispers started to happen but Ron couldn’t focus on them. Harry wanted to see him after lunch. Merlin, this was too much.
Ron turned towards Luna. “I need help picking out something to wear.”
“Since when did you care about your appearance?” Luna asked.
“Since Harry asked me out. Will you help me?”
Luna sighed. “Alright.”
They got up from their seats and headed towards the omega common room. They almost left the Great Hall when Ron turned back and grabbed one of the many sandwiches off the table. He then ran back to catch up with Luna.
***
When they made it to the omega common room, Ron and Luna went straight to the dormitories. The dormitories were the same as the rest of the common room. The same pastels, lace and plush rugs. The beds were four-poster.
Ron walked over to his bead and sat on it while Luna opened his trunk and rummaged through it. After a few minutes of silence, Luna pulled out a top with a little “aha”. She held the top in front of Ron and smiled. The top was one of his mum’s maroon sweaters that she always gave to Ron. He flushed at the sight of it.
“Luna, I can’t go out with that,” Ron said.
“Why not? It’s the middle of autumn and besides, it'll look good on you.”
Ron sighed. He knew that there was no use in changing Luna’s mind about it. He’ll just have to deal with it, he supposed. He grabbed the sweater from Luna’s hands. Luna went back into his trunk to find a bottom.
“I think a skirt would work. What do you think?” Luna asked.
“Whatever you think is best,” Ron replied.
Luna smiled. She pulled out a skirt and held up to Ron. It was a long black pleated skirt. Ron knew it would go down to his ankles.
“I think that’s it. Try it on,” Luna insisted.
Ron had no choice but to follow her directions and went to the changing room at the back. When he came out of the changing room, Ron never had felt more ridiculous. It didn't help that Ron now had to deal with wearing a chunky wool sweater the entire time at Hogsmeade. He wondered what Harry would think of it. He’d probably think that Ron looked ridiculous as well. Luna seemed to think otherwise.
“I’d say you look rather dashing,” Luna said.
“I look ridiculous,” Ron muttered.
Luna pursed her lips and tilted her head. “There’s just one thing missing. I’ll be right back.”
Before Ron could ask her what she meant, Luna ran out of the dormitory and left Ron standing there unsure of what to do. She came back just as quickly and produced a pair of radish earrings.
“These will look perfect,” Luna said.
“My ears aren’t pierced, Luna.”
Luna took out her wand behind her ear. “Well, there is a charm for that.”
***
The arrival to Hogsmeade was swift but quiet. Too quiet for Ron’s liking. Harry, who was usually outgoing, had been silent the entire way. Ron thought that perhaps Harry didn’t want to muck this up. Perhaps he had already regretted asking Ron out. He wouldn’t be surprised. After Harry saw what Ron was wearing, he hadn’t said anything. The silence only added more to his self-doubts.
“So, was it Luna’s idea?” Harry asked.
The question caught Ron off guard but he quickly composed himself. “What?”
“The earrings. Luna’s idea, right?”
“Oh,” Ron blushed as he tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. “It was.”
Harry smiled. “It looks nice on you. Really, it does.”
Ron couldn’t help but giggle at the compliment. Maybe there was hope after all. They continued walking through High Street. The autumn breeze blew through Ron’s hair. Harry’s butterbeer scent always managed to waft into Ron’s nose. He didn't mind it.
“So, where would you like to go first?” Harry asked.
“I have a choice?” Ron asked.
“Why wouldn’t you?”
Ron thought for a moment. “Usually alphas have everything planned. They don’t usually give omegas choices.”
Harry shook his head. “Right. Well, I’m not an alpha so you get a choice.”
Ron smiled. “Honeydukes.”
“Honeydukes it is,” Harry said.
***
Ron and Harry sat behind Honeydukes. They ate their supply of chocolate frogs and pumpkin pasties in silence. To Ron this was the highlight of the trip. Sitting here with Harry and eating sweets was the best thing to have ever happened to him. He didn't know if he even deserved it. Perhaps he did.
Ron held up a pumpkin pasty. “I remember the first time on the Hogwarts Express when you bought so many sweets from the Trolley.”
Harry smiled. “Yeah. I remember too.”
Ron turned towards Harry. “I was impressed, you know.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
They stared at each other for a while. Blue eyes met green before they slid down to Harry’s lips. Ron wondered what it would be like to kiss Harry. The thought made his breath hitch and Ron knew that Harry could smell the spike of Ron’s scent.
“Can I kiss you?” Ron asked.
“Yes,” Harry breathed.
Harry lifted his hand and gently cupped Ron’s cheek, tilting his head up.
“Is this okay?” Harry asked.
“Yeah, it’s fine,” Ron said.
The two boys leaned forward until their lips met. It was electrifying in an exciting kind of way. Ron could feel his cheeks burn and they both pulled away. They stared at each other again before Harry placed his forehead onto Ron’s.
“You deserve this, Ron. You really do.”
Ron closed his eyes. “I doubt that.”
Harry pulled back. He then lifted Ron’s head to make him look at his eyes.
‘Ron. You do deserve this. I’m telling you that.” Harry placed a chaste kiss on top of Ron’s head.
“Yeah. I guess I do.”
They stayed in each other’s brace for a couple of hours. Harry then suggested that they head back as McGonagall might worry about them. As they pack up their remaining sweets and walk back to Hogwarts, Ron couldn’t help but think that maybe being with a beta wasn’t the worst. Especially if that beta was Harry.