The Secret Between Us - Prt.2

Chapter Four.

Ron unknowingly hit a nerve. "Yes, Ron." Harry sneered, raising his voice. "I should be at that bloody hospital with my husband, but instead I'm here. Why is that?....I don't know, let me think...oh, I know...because the bastard decided yesterday, out of all forsaken days, was the perfect day for him to die; only he's not dead yet, which for some reason makes things worse!" Harry was now spitting each word. "So yes, Ron. I should be at St. Mungo's but instead I'm here trying to come up with a good way to save my husband!

"Now...this case has now become mine; and if you so much as think to take it from me, you better not doubt it, Ron. I will hex you."

The way Harry was speaking to Ron reminded him of the days they had to stay at 12 Grimmauld Palace. Harry had been a mess, yelling at him and Hermione for every little thing. They could barely stand the guy. It was like not having Draco with him turned him into this rabid beast no one wanted to be with. 

"Alright, mate...." Ron cautiously stated. "Just calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down," Harry snapped. 

It was just now that the words he had practically shouted set in. He could feel all eyes on him, and so he turned to face the shocked spectators. "What are you looking at? I'm talking to Weasley, get back to work." 

The aurors watching it all unfold forced themselves to turn their attention back to what they were doing. Ron took this opportunity to take a glance at what Harry was trying to do exactly, after all, he didn't want him to take all of the credit if he managed to solve the case. 

"What are you doing?"

Ron drew his eyes back to Harry. "I--I want to help." Harry arched a brow, he was acting as if he hadn't known Ron for more than half of his life, irritating him. "C'mon, Harry, let me help." Harry thought about Ron's words. 

"Alright, fine," he groaned. 

Ron stole one of the sheets of papers Harry had in his hands. "So what are we looking for?" he asked. 

Harry sighed. "A bird." 

"A bird?"

"Yeah." Harry scratched his head out of frustration. 

"What kind of bird?"

"A bird, Ron!" Harry threw his arm in the air, dropping some papers. "A raven spreading its wings, or an eagle; hell, it can be a dragon...I'll know it when I see it," He finally said, collapsing back on his seat. 

Ron looked at his friend quite saddened. It seemed like he was getting worse and worse without Draco. He wasn't going to last; not without his husband, so Ron went back to scanning over the stack of paper until he found the one Harry was looking for.  He handed the paper to his friend without context, making him jump up with a glimmer of hope in his emerald eyes. 

"Now, what is this about?" 

Harry shook his head. "Sh!" He brought his finger to his lips, shushing the redhead on the spot. He couldn't think with his high-pitched voice; he needed to concentrate, he needed complete silence. 

"Harry..?"

"Shut up!"

Ron suppressed the urge to yell back at the man. He knew what he was going through; after all, he would go mad, maybe even worse than Harry, but his patience was running thin.

"Get me Greengrass."

When the redhead didn't move, Harry shot his head up to face him. "Well what are you waiting for? A handwritten letter? Get me Greengrass!"

Ron's worried glance became concern. "Harry, she's with the prime minister. She won't be back until Kingsley thinks those death eaters won't attempt to murder the head of the muggles." The man proceeded to place his hand on his friend's shoulder. "You've been up for almost three days; I think you should rest.

"Go back home, then after you've showered, eaten, slept, and have let yourself process everything come back and talk to me and Hermione. You need to let us help you."

"Why is everyone so concerned? I'm fine!" The sentence which had once started quite confidently ended with a little squeak as Harry tried his best to keep his emotions in check. "I'm fine. Why does everyone think I shouldn't be?" Harry falsely smiled. "....I'm fine....He's just sleeping. He's just--he..."

Ron quickly grabbed his friend and took him to an empty office before anyone noticed he was on the verge of breaking down. Harry knew why Ron had dragged him to the small enclosed space; he knew and so he fought the urge let the tears slip.

"Harry, it's fine to cry," Ron tried to reassure the man. "I'll be the only on who see you and I won't judge."

Harry bit the inside of his cheek. "Ron, I'm fine." 

"You'll be fine when you go home. We don't want you here, not in this state at least. Go home."

Harry lowly growled, yet Ron didn't faze, making the man throw his hands in the air out of anger. "Fine," he finally said quite defeated. He pushed past Ron, and headed to the lifts.