You hadn't meant to stare. Really, you hadn't.

It was late, most of the dorm already asleep, and you had not come up here to ogle Ronald Billius Weasley in his stupidly well-fitted vest and striped pajama bottoms. But here you were—perched on the edge of his bed, absolutely staring.

The dim candlelight did nothing to help your situation. It only made the angles of his arms look more defined, the reddish glow of his hair a little warmer. And Merlin, when had his shoulders gotten so broad?

"Oi," Ron's voice snapped you back to reality. His brow furrowed as he caught your gaze, half-amused, half-suspicious. "You alright?"

You blinked. Swallowed. "Uh—yeah."

Ron smirked, tilting his head slightly. "Sure? 'Cause you’ve been lookin’ at me like I’ve got two heads."

You scrambled for an excuse, any excuse, but your brain had all but short-circuited. Finally, you blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"I was just—thinking."

Ron quirked an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Thinking about what?"

You hesitated, heat creeping up your neck. "Nothing important."

His smirk widened. "Right. 'Cause it definitely didn’t look like you were just checking me out or anything."

You gaped at him. "I was not—"

Ron only laughed, leaning back against his pillows like he had all the time in the world. "S’alright, love. Stare all you want."

You wanted to argue. Really, you did. But the cocky grin on his face told you he’d already won this round.