Okay, here's a new story, and it's one I'm really enjoying writing. So any thoughts you have on it would be very welcome. It was born from thinking how things would have been different between Ron and Hermione had Ron seen the kiss that Viktor and Hermione shared.

I do not own Harry Potter.


Ron Weasley escaped the Yule Ball gratefully. He hurried out of the Great Hall, scowling as he passed two sixth years locked in each other arms, kissing passionately. Ron had not had high hopes for the evening, but all hope had been dashed when he had seen Hermione with Viktor Krum as her dance partner. Other than the fact Krum was a world-famous, well-built Quidditch player, Ron couldn't see what Hermione saw in him.

Ron walked until he reached the lake. He was approaching two figures. They're faces gradually became discernible through the darkness. As soon as Ron realised who they were, he ducked behind a tree in panic. He took a few minutes summon his courage before he dared to peek around the trunk.

Hermione and Viktor were stood by the water's edge, standing close, talking in hushed tones. Ron saw Krum take Hermione's hands in his. Ron was shaking his head as he watched Krum leaning in, cocking his head to one side. Hermione mirrored him. Ron managed to look away just as their lips met.

His stomach felt like it had just been punched. His breaths quickened, his heart hammered, and he drilled his head against the bark of the tree, attempting to drive the image from his mind. An intense, frightening jealousy began to pump through his blood. He only peered around the tree in the anticipation of Hermione pulling away from Krum and storming up to the caste, but he was disappointed when he saw the couple's lips still locked.

The scene was strangely compelling. Despite the pain that was building in his chest, he could not help but stare at their lips slowly moving against each other, gradually parting.

Unable to stand the sight anymore, Ron bolted, sprinting straight back up to the castle and back into the Great Hall. He moved straight to the drinks table and quickly downed a glass of punch, hoping to calm himself down.

The sight of Krum and Hermione refused to leave his mind; nothing could force it away. The image was made even worse by the fact that Ron knew perfectly well that it could be him out there with Hermione. He could have, and should have, asked Hermione to the Yule Ball. Only realising that he had romantic feelings for Hermione when he saw her with another man, was unmistakably the biggest mistake of his life so far.

He was wrenched from his misery by a slap on the shoulder from his brother, Fred.

Ron turned to see both Fred and George behind him, grinning broadly.

"Why the long face?" George asked.

"Lighten up, it's a party." Fred added.

Ron shook his head.

"Where's Padma?" Fred asked, looking over both his shoulders.

Ron shrugged.

Fred and George shared a glance before continuing their interrogation.

"What did you do with her?" George questioned in disbelief.

"We know you don't have much experience with women, but we were expecting you to last more than an hour before you ruined things." Fred laughed.

Blinded by desperation, Ron was willing to risk even his brother's mockery.

"I don't care about Padma." he said hopelessly. "There's someone else."

Fred and George smiled simultaneously. There was something knowing in their eyes that Ron did not like the look of.

"Well, you've come to the right place." George said.

"We'll share all our secrets."

"We'll make you irresistible."

Ron's mistrust of the twins was reaching a climax.

"There's nothing you can do." he said wearily. "I've just seen her with another guy."

"The game isn't over until the snitch is caught, Ronniekins!" Fred said brightly. "You've gotta fight for her."

Ron laughed hollowly. What chance did he have in a battle against Viktor Krum?

"Have a little faith." George persisted. "We've got a foolproof plan."

Ron took a deep sigh, hardly believing that he was accepting the twin's plan before he had even heard it. No matter what they said, no matter how difficult it would be to instigate, Ron was prepared to do it.

"Go on." he said mistrustfully.

"You have to turn into Hermione's perfect man." The twins said together, beaming smugly.

"Shush!" Ron hissed, searching the room for eavesdroppers. "Keep your voices down. How did you know it was Hermione?"

"Who else would it be?"

"You can't take your eyes off her."

"Anyway,"

"Before we were so rudely interrupted,"

"You have to be everything that Hermione wants from a boyfriend. You've gotta be smart, romantic," Fred was ticking off the qualities on his fingers as he spoke. "Athletic, and, most of all, you've gotta be a great kisser."

"I know we're asking a lot." George said patronisingly, patting Ron on the shoulder. "But it's worth a shot."

Fred nodded. "If Longbottom can get Ginny to go with him to the ball, then even you have a chance of winning the girl."

Ron felt the inspiration hit him like a bludger to the head. "You're right." he said, dazedly staring at his brothers. "I'll do it."

He didn't even wait for a reply before making his way out of the Great Hall and climbing the stairs to Gryffindor Tower in a state of bewildered excitement.

How could he ever have doubted his brothers? Their plan, as they had said, was foolproof. He would change, mould into something that Hermione could love, and sweep her off her feet just as Krum had. There was no doubt he would need help along the way, but he was determined, more so than he had ever been.

Upon his arrival in the Gryffindor boy's dormitory, Ron frantically searched his trunk for a piece of parchment, a quill and an inkpot. He lay on his bed and proceeded to draw a picture, a diagram of the man he was going to be. To the image of a stick figure he drew several lines, labelling each of them with the qualities Fred and George had listed, plus a few of his own.

Almost as soon as Ron had finished his drawing, Harry came up the stairs. He paused in the door way, staring at Ron as if something was wrong.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked anxiously.

Ron was blissfully unaware of the rather manic look in his eyes and the determination in his set jaw and furrowed brow.

"Yeah," Ron said, smiling down at his finished artwork.

"What's that?" Harry was pointing to the piece of parchment.

"It's my future." Ron said dazedly.

Harry sighed. "How much Butterbeer have you had?"

"No, you don't get it." Ron got off his bed and passed Harry the drawing. "It's the perfect man."

Harry raised his eyebrow. "What are you going to do with him?"

"I'm gonna become him. I have to if I want to impress her."

Harry looked down at the picture for the briefest of moments before looking up to Ron in utter incomprehension. "Who're you trying to impress?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"No."

"It's Hermione."

Harry's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. It was not a comforting sight to see.

"When did this happen? I mean, when did you realise?" Harry was staring at Ron as if he was trying to decide whether Ron had gone mad.

"Um …" Ron hesitated, realising just how long the last hour had seemed. "It was about half an hour ago." He paused again, trying to decide how best to describe the interaction between Hermione and Krum that he had just witnessed. "I saw her with Krum, and it made me think."

"Are sure it isn't just the dress?" Harry asked hopefully. It was evident in his tone that he thought Ron's plan was ridiculous and ought to be forgotten.

"It's not the dress." Ron said wistfully. "It's the girl."

"Well," Harry said matter-of-factly. "If you need any help, you know where I am."

"Thanks, mate." Ron said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Where'd you think we should start?"

Harry surveyed the diagram once more. "We may as well start at the top. We need to get you some brains."


If you review and share your thoughts, it would make me very happy.