Defining Secrets // Ron Weasley

Chapter Twenty Five: Weird How Things Go and A Touch Of Bittersweet

Ron's POV:

I woke up to the sun beaming across the floorboards, the soft hum of Elise's breathing, and some birds chirping outside. I didn't move in my spot so I could continue listening in peace. But a different, chirpier sound, disturbed me. Mainly because it sounded way too familiar – and a little too close.

I peeled my eyes open to feel a weight on my chest. Originally, I thought it might be El. But it was considerably lighter, and fluffier, than her. I sat up a little too quick and Elise groaned beside me. I paused to see if her eyes would open. Instead, her breathing deepened. I exhaled relief. She was still asleep.

I shot Hedwig a stern glance. "See, normally my first question would be how you got here in the first place-"

She blinked.

"-but I'm more annoyed about what you just interrupted. So, if you promise not to disturb us, I won't tell Harry on you."

The beast twisted her head to the side, then angled it down to Elise. She was still in bed beside me, hair strewn across the pillow, and lips parted only slightly apart. Following Hedwig's gaze came with a rush of emotions. Longing, heartache, and a strange homesickness for someone that had never left. I watched as another strand fell, tucking it behind her ear. Hedwig had to chirp at Elise's sleeping self for it to finally click.

"Oh, is that right?" I raised a brow at the thing. "Now that I've finally got the girl you're no longer going to antagonise me? All that pecking every morning was your weird way of trying to knock some sense into me, huh?"

Hedwig hooted. I took that as confirmation.

"Well, you won't need to worry about that any more."

As I spoke, my eyes found hers again. They were closed, naturally, but I could still feel the warmth behind them even when they weren't directly in view. Dark brown with a few freckles within them, including the one single speck that might've been the first thing that made me fall in love with her.

Her smarts, of course, was second. Every time she smiled when she answered something correctly, my heart would skip. The first time she healed Harry's arm with ease, my mouth went agape. That time she punched Draco in the face – unforgettable. The first time I saw her blush... immeasurable. 

From the moment I met her, I wanted to be funny so that she would laugh. To want to lose chess so that I could see her grin as she won. She made me want to know everything about the world so I could tell her all about it. Then watch as her eyes sparkled with wonder.

But above all, she made me want to fight. I would stand beside her in battle. Back to back, wands in hand, emitting lights of protection. And all of it for her.

Ultimately, I remind both myself and that weird bird that, "I don't plan on letting her go."

***

Elise's POV:

The sun from this morning might have dimmed down, but the roar of excitement certainly didn't. Bags were packed and littered across the Gryffindor common room. Half of them were Ginny's, but I was a close second. The train to Platform 9¾ was set to go in just a few hours. So we'd skipped lunch, wanting to spend our last few moments with each other.

Harry shook a skittle in his fists before rolling it across the table. He groaned when Luna's pins hadn't knocked over. Fred forked over three galleons which George gratefully accepted, leaving Luna her turn. Harry was eviscerated.

According to Hermione, the Twins had been fighting like crazy. But whatever seemed to have been the problem was sorted by now. They were back to their bets and stupid jokes.