Never Let Go

Never Let Go

AN: Seeing how this is my first official Harry Potter slash story (or any story for that matter) uploaded on AFF.net, I decided to go easy on the smut. Rest assured, it is not because I think it crude or disparaging, hardly. I just rather like the fic how it is right now and I don't feel like taking the extra time to add pointless sex scenes to spice up an already sweet story. It takes place before DH. I must also add that this is also a song fic as I was inspired to write it while listening to the song, Never Let Go by Josh Groban. The lyrics are his and whomever he collaborated with (if anyone at all) to write the moving melody. If you don't like Josh's works, might I suggest you look elsewhere for your HP fix. I normally don't write Ron fics but the pairing of Ron and Harry with the song and story line made the most sense. Also, I don't see many requited M/M fics starring the two Gryffindors so I thought I'd even up the odds for the two! Enjoy~~

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Something was definitely wrong with Ron, Harry decided one day at breakfast close the the Easter holidays. Harry knew something was wrong, he felt it. Taking his resolve firmly in his hand, he decided that he would get to the bottom of Ron's moroseness of late. The door to the Hall opened and Harry snapped his head up.

Think of the red headed devil... Harry thought with a wry grin.

Ron made his way to the Gryffindor table clearly lost in thought. He took his customary seat next to Harry, not bothering to comment in his distracted state about Hermione's absence.

She's probably locked away in that library with all those dusty tomes... Ron thought before reaching to take a plate of toast. His eyes glazed over once more as he took huge bites out of the buttered, browned bread. His head was turned towards the doors he just passed through.

“Earth to Weasley, come in!” Harry intoned softly.

“Huh?” Ron asked, either not hearing Harry or not understanding the obvious muggle quip.

“What is with you today? You're acting...odd.” Harry commented innocently.

Ron's ears perked at that.

“Odd? I'm normal, mate, just like you! Perfectly normal!” Ron responded quickly, his eyes darting to the table top, locking onto the pattern of wood grain like it was the most interesting thing in the world. Harry wasn't convinced by his friend's panicked tone or the feeling he got that Ron was tring to reassure himself as well as Harry.

Troubled by Ron's seemingly forced nature, but otherwise understanding about the red-head's inability to talk freely, Harry let the matter drop. He could always just wait until Ron and him were alone in the common room before pouncing back on the subject of Ron's strange behavior.

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Ron was an absolute mess. He hadn't slept properly the night before. Hell, he hadn't slept properly in the past few days. It showed on his face, from the slightly baggy eyes to the jaw-cracking yawn he exhibited every ten minutes. It was plain to see for anyone who saw his haggard state that something was wrong.

Nobody but Ron knew of the turmoil twisting in his mind. Most passed it off, thinking he had blundered with Hermione. It was widely acknowledged that the two had secret longings for each other. However, she spent less and less time in the presence of Harry and Ron these days. Had Ron asked for a date and got rejected? Whispers of such an occurrence were being passed around the house tables. Of this, Ron ignored, his eyes scanning the crowd with disinterest. Once more they settled on the entry doors.

Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown pushed open the doors and Ron's slightly out of focus eyes slid over them as if the two pretty girls were ghosts. Before the heavy oak doors had a chance to close completely, Draco Malfoy walked in with his usual sneer and a distasteful grimace at having to touch the wood after two Gryffindors.

Ron's eyes snapped into focus as he watched the haughty teenaged Slytherin make his own way to his house's table across the hall. Ron realized he was staring at the blonde without his accustomed glare and quickly lowered his eyes.

Stop it! Ron said to himself, a voice remarkably like his own screamed in his head.

I'm not staring, I'm not staring! Not at Malfoy, not at a Slytherin! I'm not, I can't be. I WON'T BE! He's a boy! Don't watch him! He ordered himself silently as his eyes strayed back up to the blonde after dropping momentarily to the floor. His face showed little emotion that was prevalent in his brain. Even Draco Malfoy would be impressed, had he known the secret Ron held. A small voice broke in on Ron's mental tirade.

But I want to though...

Ron's eyes blazed with anger. Having watched Draco Malfoy enter the room but failed to see Ron's internal struggle, Harry only saw the anger reflected in the blues of his long time friend. Turning to him, Harry was alert for any type of trouble.

He hated it when Ron was upset. It upset him when his friend was angry or hurt. He wished he could do or say something to calm the obviously distressed Ron. After a moment, Harry reached out and shook Ron's shoulder.

“DON'T TOUCH ME!” Ron yelped, effectively silencing the room. With every eye turned to him Ron bolted from his seat and dashed out the doors. New rumors began to fly after his sudden outburst and subsequent departure. Harry, however, heard none of it. His jaded eyes followed his distraught friend as he took his leave of the staring students.

Slowly, Harry raised from his own seat and walked up the isle. So deep in thought, Harry barely noticed the passage of time or where his footsteps were being directed to. What was wrong with Ron? He, Harry, barely touched him and he goes mental! Stopping briefly to mutter 'Fidelis' to the Fat Lady's portrait, which swung open for him immediately, he climbed into the common room.

Ron was sprawled out on one of the sofas that littered the round room. A single glistening tear trekked it's way down the pale, freckled face of the red-head. The emotion that accompanied that detail took Harry by surprise. A deep ache bloomed within his chest as he stood there motionless.

“R-Ron?” Harry stuttered slowly.

Ron's eyes twitched but didn't open.

“Look, everyone knows you're having girl problems. What happened with Hermione?” Harry asked delicately as he could.

Ron's eyes snapped open finally.

“Girl problems? Huh, yeah. Everyone would think that, wouldn't they? Nobody has any clue about my 'problems'.” Ron spat contemptuously. Harry blinked back a retort. It was normally Malfoy who elicited that tone from a Weasley. Still shocked by the vehemence behind the words, Harry reached out once more to his friend.

“Let me in on it!” Harry pleaded. He was surprised to see alarm flicker across the paled skin of the other Gryffindor teen.

“No!” Ron answered rather loudly. The force of his one word echoed around the empty common room then faded into silence again. But not for long.

“Why not? Quit being a prat! I just want to help!” Harry cried indignantly.

“You can't help me, Harry.” Ron said quietly, his soft voice juxtapositioned oddly with his earlier outburst. Harry walked to the sofa and bent to move Ron's legs so he could sit. Ron drew his legs away and flinched as Harry's fingertips brushed the skin of his ankle.

“What's wrong with you?!” Harry exploded, taking it's turn at echoing around the red and gold decorated room. Ron looked away from the angry Harry's face to stare at the dying fire smoldering in the grate. Harry saw his jaw clench tightly and his eyes close before he heard Ron's answer.

“I'mnothavinggirlproblems.” came Ron's mutter, half garbled from his tightly closed mouth.

“Beg pardon?” Harry asked, not understanding a word Ron said.

The red-head took a deep breath.

“I'm-I'm not having girl problems.” he restated slowly. Harry's face slowly went slack. A wild thought chased it's way around his brain. Maybe...Maybe Ron wasn't even interested in girls. Harry quickly stood and backed away, disbelief written across his face. The more he thought about it, the more it made sense.

“Ron...are...are you...” Harry paused, unable to force the words from his shocked mouth.

“I think so...” Ron answered, his voice husky from the pent up tears that threatened to fall.

“But...But you like Hermione!” Harry wildly accused, even going so far as to point a finger at his friend like he was some sort of culprit. Ron shook his head.

“No, mate, I don't.”

Harry's fists tightened until the knuckles turned white. Before he could stop himself, he shouted back at the stunned Ron.

“Don't you DARE call me mate!” Harry turned on his heel and bolted up the stair. Reaching his bed, he flopped down on it. He knew the moment the words left his mouth that he shouldn't have said them, but Harry had to get away. He had to be alone. He had to think.

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Ron closed his eyes as another cold tear trickled down his cheek. The common room eventually filled and became a hubbub of merry-making activities, yet despite the Easter holiday fun, all remained mute and still to Ron's senses. Deep in thought, he sat motionless throughout laughing conversation, games of Exploding Snap and foul squirts of liquid from a game of Gobstones. After a few attempts at conversation that were coldly rebuffed, everyone avoided Ron and left him to his peace.

The common room slowly emptied as quickly as it filled after hours of weekend freedom coupled with the holiday. Tired but happy students drifted up to bed and silence began to reign Gryffindor tower. Only when absolutely no sound could be heard is when Ron stirred from his position. It took a full ten minutes for him to lift one dispirited foot after another before he reached the door to the sixth year dormitories.

He stopped and listened to make sure all was quiet within before entering. Satisfied that no sounds were forthcoming, he slipped inside.

Only one was still awake when Ron entered, but for the whole day he sat on his closed off bed, pondering the unsettling news he received that morning. He heard the door open and close then green eyes followed the red haired movements through a gap in his flowing burgundy curtains.

Minutes passed by before Harry heard Ron's muffled sobs. He felt his sensitive heart give a painful lurch. Getting up, he muttered “Muffliato!” to each of his fellow's beds to ensure none of his classmates would wake.

Harry had all day to think long and hard about his friend. Finally, right before Ron came up for bed, Harry came to a conclusion about himself, his friend and their relationship. He tiptoed to Ron's bed and silently passed through the curtains. He stood at the edge of the bed, gaze licked on the down turned face below him. Ron was sobbing heart brokenly into his pillow.

Harry took a slow, silent and deep breath then climbed onto Ron's bed.

Feeling movement near him, Ron jumped and faced the intruder. Only seeing Harry, his eyes went wide and his throat turned dry. Harry knelt beside the tear-stricken boy, one warm hand covering Ron's as he passed him a secretive smile.

To Ron's mounting astonishment, Harry laid his head on Ron's tear soaked pillow then motioned for Ron to do the same. Once he did, Harry's hand left his friend's and slipped around Ron's narrow waist. Ron caught his breath as his years-long friend locked bright green orbs onto his face.

Harry meant his words as a soft, whispered revelation but as he opened his mouth he felt his heart swell and his soul supply him with a simple but effective melody. Deep magic was at work, ancient and all knowing, and neither boy knew a thing about it.

Harry's soft baritone drifted to Ron's ears, his heart and soul's words flowing into a lilting and hauntingly beautiful song.

“I can't understand it...
The search for an answer is met with a darker day.
And we've been handed these moments forever...
But I'm reassured there's another way.”

Harry's arm tightened around Ron's waist, bringing the shocked boy closer. Harry's tears mingled with Ron's on the pillow they shared as his choked voice rang out once more.

“You don't have to close your eyes,
there is room for love again.
Ease the pain to realize,
all that love can be.
Forced apart by time and sand,
take a step and take my hand...
And don't let it go,
Never let go.”

Harry's voice trailed off as the last note died, his hand sliding down over Ron's hip to entwine his fingers with the ones he found resting there. A moment of silence was shared by the young adults as the ancient but powerful magic of true soul mates bound in loyalty and love for one another took effect on Ron. He added his own delicate alto to the sweet melody that resonated between the two teens.

“Broken...Once connected.
We were so strong and so blessed in a simple way.
So don't let me go it alone...
Turn your head up to the sky,
nothing down below but me.
Face the truth to realize,
all that we could be.
Torn apart by rage and fear,
hold on to what brought you here.
And don't let it go!
Never let go...”

Ron's last note trailed off into a sob as he moved his eyes to meet Harry's. Tear filled green irises stared back at the first and oldest friend he had.

“Ron...” Harry breathed softly, seeing the same fear reflected in those blue eyes that he felt deep within himself. Ron stared silently at Harry who was just mere inches away. Slowly he leaned over and brushed his lips over Harry's and Harry, shocked, took a moment to respond.

With a sharp intake of breath, Harry felt his body thrum pleasantly at Ron's kiss. He pushed up against his fellow Gryffindor, meshing his mouth with Ron's fervently. Harry raised their linked hands to rest over their joined heads and pinned Ron down.

Ron's lips parted slightly and Harry took his chance. Snaking his tongue into his best friend's warm mouth, he levered himself atop Ron lightly. He heard and felt Ron groan through the kiss, he became aware of Ron's body writing against his own muscled hardened body from rigorous Quidditch training.

He also felt...

Breaking the kiss abruptly, Harry pulled away from Ron's honey-sweet mouth. His face was flushed and his breathing irregular. He was barely aware of what his one free hand was doing until a sharp gasp jolted his senses back into place. He realized where his ardency was headed as he glanced down to find that he had unbuttoned both of their trousers.

Harry was still pinning Ron's wrists to the feather down pillow with one hand and his legs straddled Ron's waist when he looked up and met an azure gaze.

“Ron...I...” Harry said, his voice low and strained. He knew that Ron was attracted to Harry, he could feel that attraction pressed up against his own aching arousal in a firm warmth. It took all of Harry's willpower to refrain from grinding against Ron.

Ron was gazing back up at Harry through fogged eyes full of trust, loyalty, lust and love. His eyes half lidded themselves his lips were puffy-pink from Harry's ravishing mouth.

“Harry...please...” Came the heady moan and Harry needed no further bidding.

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The wall that separated the boy's dorm from the girls' was uncharmed stone blocks, and as such, material of that sort naturally conveyed sound. The bed Hermione chose for her sixth year at Hogwarts just so happened to be up against that wall. Having heard clearly what transpired between her two closest friends, she waited with baited breath. Ron's plea was met with a flurry of movement then silence for a few moments.

Hermione jumped slightly as she heard a mingled soft cry from Harry and Ron. Her cheeks pinkened to be privy to their private moments in bed. Tears filled her eyes as the unmistakable rhythmic pants and groans floated through the stone to her sharp ears. She suspected Ron, but never Harry. She knew she wouldn't be overheard by the two boys, them both having been lost to each other and the delights of blissful union.

“Never let go...”

AN: Yes, yes, I know, no overt smut scenes, but don't you agree? It doesn't need it...plus, we all have vivid imaginations! ~HPQ1