A/N: This begins during the chapter The Quidditch Final.

Chapter One: A Brother's Advice

It was April and a fourteen-year-old boy was looking for someone. Ronald Weasley was not looking for either of his best friends: Harry Potter or Hermione Granger. Instead he was looking for his brother – Percy, to be exact. Ron was not surprised to find him in the Library as Percy was studying for his N.E.W.T.'s (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests). Ron took a deep breath and bravely approached his third eldest brother.

'Percy,' he whispered, 'I know you're busy, but I need your advice, but I can't discuss it here and I can't ask Fred and George.'

Percy looked up at Ron and saw the look on his brother's face and with a hunch he knew what Ron wanted to talk about, he said, 'It's fine, Ron, I need a break anyway. Why don't we discuss this in my private room? It's one of the benefits of being Head Boy.'

Ron gave a nervous nod and Percy packed his things meticulously. They then walked back to Gryffindor Tower and to Percy's private room.

'Wow, Percy, it's almost worth being Head Boy if you have all this to yourself,' said Ron nervously as he took in the impressive surroundings. Percy ignored Ron's comment and waited patiently for Ron to begin.

'I, um, need your help, but before I tell you, I need you to promise me that you won't tell Fred and George,' said Ron.

'I promise,' Percy replied.

'Right, well, it's Hermione, I like her – more than a best friend and I have no clue what to do and I'm scared she's gonna find out and it'll be horrible, she'll either laugh at me, or worse, I'll lose her friendship,' he said sadly.

'How long have you felt this way?' said Percy curiously.

Ron thought for a moment and said, 'Probably the moment I met her, but I only realised it last year when I saw her after she was petrified. She looked so lifeless and I felt horrible, like it was my fault, I should've been there and not let her go off on her own. I missed her like crazy, I wanted to hear her voice, feel her presence. I mean she's beautiful, not just on the outside but the inside as well, she's amazing to put up with a git like me and why would she like me back, I've been such a twat to her …'

Percy had listened to every word his youngest had said, Ron was looking at him like a drowning man in need of buoyancy, and he said, 'You love her.'

'Yes,' said Ron.

'Well, it's about time you figured it out. The question is; what are you going to do about it?'

'That's why I'm here, you're the only one of my brothers who, one; won't take the piss, two; is actually here, and three; actually has a girlfriend,' said Ron thoughtfully.

Percy thought for a moment or two and said, 'Right, my advice is this: one; start acting more chivalrous to her, carry her bag for her, open and hold open doors for her, let her pass in front of you, pour her drink for her, try and make her laugh, okay? Do as much as you can to help her, and, secondly, perhaps most importantly, don't argue with her. Then, when the time is right, ask her to be your girlfriend.'

'Er, right, I can do that, but how will I know when the time is right?' said Ron.

'Trust me, Ron, you'll know when it's right,' Percy said confidently.

'What if she says no?' said Ron.

'Hermione is a nice enough girl to be honest with you ,and at the very least will still want to be friends and, don't worry about things being awkward, because she'll know just how much she means to you and she'll know that you'll always be there for her,' said Percy soothingly.

Ron thought about Percy's words and decided it was worth a try, if it meant there was a chance he could be with Hermione and be happy, the risk would be worth it.

'Okay, thanks a lot, Percy, I'm going to do it, wish me luck,' said Ron bracingly.

'Good luck, Ron, but I don't think you'll need it,' said Percy confidently once more as Ron left.