For the Love of a War Hero

A/N: This is my first attempt at a mild bit of slash. The prompt (Ron's unrequited love for Harry) took me by surprise and the muse ran away with it. Nothing overt or smutty about the pairing, but because it's slash coupled with a bit of swearing, PG-13
Word Count: 960

Tomorrow is the day. D-day in every sense of the term. A part of me is going to die tomorrow when he marries her. As if it wasn't going to be agonizing enough to just watch the event unfold, I'll have a bird's eye view of it because I'm in the blasted wedding party.

How the Hell am I going to get through it? I have to watch Ginny marry my best friend, the man I love.

I honestly thought I would be okay. During our years at Hogwarts, I tried to hide my feelings for him. After graduation, I dated around as was expected of a hero of the wizarding war. But, my heart was inexplicably drawn back to him. It was wrong, obscene, selfish the way I wanted him. To be honest, after everything we have been through together, I felt I deserved to be selfish. To have something that was my own, which I wouldn't have to share.

But Ginny got to him first. Not that any of it was unexpected. Everyone lauded their relationship. They actually believe the so-called prophecy Trelawney was spouting after the final battle was over. As the sun sets on the celebration of triumph, the one marked from the fall of the Dark Lord will find comfort in the arms of his true beloved. And a blessed union shall rise from the sorrows. What complete and utter crap. She truly is a fraud.

He should have found that with me. I've just been too reluctant to expose my feelings for him. I would be setting myself up for ridicule and scorn, and the burden from the fall out wouldn't be mine to bear alone.

Gads! I can't go through with this. I have to let him know how I feel or it will tear me up inside for the rest of my life, wondering about what might have been.

The wedding party and some very close friends are together at Grimmauld Place celebrating Harry and Ginny's final night of bachelorhood. I had just stepped outside to gather my thoughts. Just being here was more difficult than I ever imagined it could be. I was nauseous, literally sick to my stomach that tomorrow's ceremony would put Harry permanently out of my reach. Why couldn't my heart just allow me to be happy for them?

“Hey” Harry said as he stepped out into the cool night air. “Why aren't you in there with us? Everyone's having a great time.”

I looked away when he asked why I was outside. I couldn't look at him and run the risk of having my emotions plainly displayed on my face. “I just needed a bit of air. I'll head back in a few minutes.”

“Is everything alright?” he asked. “You seem a bit out of sorts.” He reached his hand out and grasped my shoulder. “Is it because I'm marrying Ginny tomorrow?”

Of course he would think that. It's all about her, isn't it? Something in my mind seemed to snap and the emotions I'd held in check for years came pouring out like someone had doused me with Veritaserum. “Of course it's because you're marrying Ginny!” I screamed. My own vitriol startled me, so I cast Muffliato, privacy charms and braced myself for the inevitable backlash.

“Of all the things you could have said to me, never in a million years would I ever have expected that. Why do you have a problem with me marrying Ginny?” he asked with genuine concern in his eyes.

“I..uh...” I tried to say, my heart filled with anguish. How could I possibly tell him that it's because I love him and I want him to be with me. I turned away, ashamed as I felt my eyes begin to fill with tears.

“Tell me” Harry begged. “I can't stand to see you like this.”

I closed my eyes because I didn't want to see him recoil in horror when I finally told him. “It's because I love you Harry” I whispered. “I've loved you since Fourth Year.” I slowly opened my eyes and took in the surprised look on his face. I turned away once more saying “I never should have told you. I've ruined everything.”

Harry came closer and pulled me into a tight embrace. “You haven't ruined anything. I can't tell you how relieved I am that you told me. That I finally know.”

The knot forming in my throat threatened to suffocate me. “Now that you know what?” I managed to choke out.

“That my feelings for you are returned” he said as he stroked my face. “All of this is just pretense, at least for Ginny and myself.”

“What do you mean? You're not really getting married?” I asked, confused at his ambiguous statement.

“Of course Ginny and I are still getting married, but it's not for the reasons you think.” I was baffled, so he continued to explain. “The wizarding world seriously frowns upon same-sex relationships. Therefore, Ginny and I have agreed to marry in name only so we can keep the Ministry hounds off our backs. Technically, we'll be husband and wife but Ginny will actually be with Parvati who has agreed to move into Grimmauld Place.”

“You mean Ginny's...”

“Yes.”

“Then you agreed to this so...”

“Ginny and I could actually be with the people who truly love us romantically and not just as friends.”

I was shell-shocked, completely dumb founded at his revelation. “So the prophecy Trelawney spoke that night...”

“Was about you. I found comfort in your arms, if you remember. And that's the way I've always wanted it.”

He caressed my face and leaned closer to me.

“Forever?” I asked tentatively.

“Forever, Ron. Forever” Harry reassured before he kissed me.