Disclaimer: I own none of the Harry Potter universe or any of its characters J.K. Rowling owns everything. I do not profit from this and I do it for my own entertainment.

Love Potions

August 26, 1996 The Weasley's Old Shed

'Why did he have to fancy her' Ginny thought to herself. She knew that Harry would never admit it, but she could tell he had feelings for Hermione. Honestly, his blatant denial just made it more obvious to her. He would look into Hermione's eyes and tell her that he would always be there for her. That never failed to sting Ginny's heart. Or the way he would always subtly graze her hand. He wouldn't even notice he did it let alone what it meant. Ginny had loved him since the day she met him on their way to platform 9 ¾. She had been so shy around him. Up till late second year, she could never even speak a full sentence to him. That is what brought her to this spot with her glancing over her cauldron. The lack of returned feelings is what has her making sure no one was coming to check up on her. The idea originally came to her at the twin's shop, but where it came from doesn't matter. All that matters was the fact she was doing it.

From across the shed, she could hear someone coming. She tried to cover up her cauldron before anyone walked in, but it was too late. Her tall red-headed older brother had already walked in and smelt the aroma from the unmistakable love potion.

"Ginny what the bloody hell are you doing in here. Mum told me to go get you for dinner, but from what it looks like you have already cooked something up of your own." Ron said as he laughed and walked closer to verify it was the love potion he knew she was making.

"Can you get the hell out of here. I will eat dinner in a minute I just need to finish something up," Ginny yelled at him trying to get him out of there before he put the pieces together. She knew he wasn't the smartest wizard of his age but, he would have to be an outright idiot if he didn't understand what was happening in that shed.

"Naw I think I will stick around a bit. So now why would sweet little innocent Ginny be making a love potion? Would it happen to be for a chosen one who has eyes for a bushy-haired bookworm?" Ron knew exactly what was going on and he planned on taking full advantage of the situation.

"Ron shut up and leave, what I am doing in here is none of your concern," Ginny said while trying to lower her voice. She already knew she was screwed and the only way to get out of this is to play nice.

"No I think it is my concern because I have a proposition for you, a solution that would solve both of our problems," Ron suggested trying to reel in his sister for a much bigger plan than what she was thinking of.

"Well get on with it," Ginny replied wanting to know what the hell Ron was talking about.

"Okay so you plan on giving Harry a love potion, but what's going to happen to Hermione she would cause you problems beyond your belief. You have to do something about her. So I was thinking that you could give her a love potion directed at me so we can both get what we want. Also, if you decline my offer let's just say I might let slip to Harry or possibly to mum what's going on in this little shed." Ron tempted her with these enticing words. He knew this was the only way for him to finally get Hermione.

"Okay you got a deal, but there are a couple of things I have to tell you about the love potion. First, off it takes a long time to brew I'm estimating at least four months. However, it is extremely long lasting so the potion won't wear off before I have time to brew another batch. Second, the potion can take a while to kick in. This can be a good or a bad thing, the good thing about it is they won't all of a sudden fall in love with us and become suspicious. The bad thing is that it will take a while and she won't be in your arms anytime soon. I personally plan on keeping myself distracted with Dean until it works. I suggest you do the same... Oh, you pervert I meant with a girl, not Dean." She laughed as she added the last part seeing the peculiar look on Ron's face.

"Of course, I knew that I'm not a total bloke, and I plan on it, how does Lavender Brown sound?" Ron asked as a grin began to spread across his face. He just knew his sixth year was going to be a good year.

"She will work I guess, but go, stall mum, I have to clean up here first," she remembered that her mum was probably waiting on them both and she didn't like to be kept waiting.

March 15,1997 Hogwarts Main Hall

Ron's poisoning scared everyone. Which left Harry desperate to prevent a situation like that from happening again. He shocked everyone when he began spending hours in the library. He would pour over books seeking a solution. He didn't want to see this happen again. While Harry was searching for a solution things were not going well on the relationship front. Ginny had been giving Harry the potion for months now and nothing seemed to change. Well, that's what Ginny saw, the truth was that Harry just didn't want to confront his feelings. Right now wasn't the time. Ron was having a similar problem with Hermione. A lot was happening behind the scenes and Ron just didn't see it yet. Never the less it still sucked.

Harry cleared his throat trying to get everyone's attention then finally speaking. "We can't let something like this happen again. Ron, we almost lost you if I hadn't of been so quick on my feet you would have died. That is serious enough to get my attention. I was thinking if we take this potion I ran across called 'Efferant', it would clear out our systems of all potions. It will also protect us from most poisons by instantly exerting them from our bodies, it should work for about a month. After that, we just need to take another one. As long as we keep up with the dosages we should be safe from any future magical poisonings."Harry announced the last part with a smile on his face, he was so relieved he ran across something so perfect for their situation.

"I guess that should work but are you sure it's safe," Ron said extremely nervous. He knew that the love potions would stop working.

"They are completely safe," Harry vowed just wanting everyone to accept his idea that he had worked so hard toward.

"Do we have everything for it? " Ron stammered running out of ideas and excuses to keep them from taking it.

"Yes, actually all the ingredients are really basic and easy to come by. Also, it shouldn't take more than an hour to brew." Harry said a little annoyed at Ron for trying to shout down his idea.

"No, it won't work! I refuse to take it and I suggest you guys do the same," Ron said trying to shut Harry down one more time.

Hermione finally had enough and stepped in," Honestly Ron you're being insane of course it will work. I've studied it and am a little surprised I didn't think of it first. Harry, you're bloody brilliant. I will help you brew it because even though the ingredients are easy it takes a lot of skill."

"Thank you Hermione I have a few empty viles right here, but we have to take it in the bathroom. Let's just say it's not delightful when the potions leave our bodies." Harry said while pulling out two empty viles.

"Okay let's go. Ron, you can come if you want, but honestly, if your that against it you can stay here." Hermione stated matter of factly as she walked out of the great hall with Harry.

*.*.*.*.*

"Why was Ron acting so weird? Honestly I never really know what's going on with that boy." Hermione ragged to Harry as they lit the fire under the cauldron and started putting ingredients into it.

"I don't know, but he's always been a bit unpredictable if were being completely honest with our self's." Harry conceded with Hermione he never really knew what was going on with Ron, one moment he's fine then the next he's as moody as a 13-year-old girl.

"Okay well, whatever is going on with him he needs to sort it out, before he tries to talk to me," Hermione remarked before she became completely entrapped with the potion and everything else started to disappear out of her mind. Harry loved that about her, how she could let a project completely intake her. How when she starts something no one and nothing can stop her. He always felt this way, but she was always just her best friend. It started to feel like more last summer, but then he started to notice Ginny and everything all of a sudden was different.

"Finally it's done," Hermione said while pushing the sweat and hair out of her face.

"Yeah, finally I can talk without being pushed away," Harry muttered while smiling that smile that Hermione loved.

"Oh shut up, I just don't like to be disturbed while I'm working," Hermione grinned back at him.

"Okay well, I need you to go back to the dorms while I take this. I will get you when I'm done," Harry awkwardly stated.

"Oh yeah, well here." She replied just as awkwardly as she poured the green thick potion in one of the empty viles before she left.

*.*.*.*.*

"Well, that wasn't as bad as I imagined," Hermione said while entering the common room.

"I guess it wasn't that bad. I didn't particularly enjoy it, but nonetheless, I survived." Harry said.

"I was kind of surprised. I thought that if you didn't have a potion in you nothing would happen," Hermione stated quizzically.

"Yeah, I don't know honestly. I guess it's something to do some research on later." Harry said while thinking about it.

"Is that why Ron didn't want us to take it, has he been slipping us some kind of potion?" Harry asked angrily. The thought of Ron going behind his back with something like that was unimaginable. They have been friends since first year, why the bloody hell would he hide something like that from him?

"I don't know, but we need to talk to him about this ASAP." Hermione urged as she grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him out the portrait hole to find Ron.

*.*.*.*.*

"Ron have you been slipping me and Harry something," Hermione snapped at Ron.

"No of course not where the bloody hell did you hear that from. Did you talk to Ginny because, whatever she said is a lie," Ron retorted trying to cast the blame on someone.

"Don't you lie to me Ronald Weasley I'm not a bloody idiot. Also, how on God's green earth is Ginny involved in all of this?" Hermione interjected, she wasn't in the mood to play games with him.

"Alright I'll come clean just know it was all Ginny's idea," Ron pleaded trying not to piss her off too much.