CHAPTER ONE

The Self-Proclaimed Flirting Machine

"Harry!" Hermione chanted. "I've missed you so much!" She ran up to Harry, embracing him in a tight hug. They were riding on the Hogwarts Express ready to start their seventh year at Hogwarts. Harry blushed, making a burgundy color appear on his cheeks.

"I've missed you too," he replied, breaking out of their hug.

Hermione and Ron had dated briefly during their sixth year, but they had broken up because their feelings for each other had died out.

"Have you seen Ron anywhere around here?" Hermione inquired. Harry grinned all-knowingly in reply.

"Yeah, he was preoccupied though with a certain Lavender Brown, and he's now the self-proclaimed Flirting Machine!"

Hermione broke into a fit of laughter, exactly what Harry was hoping she would do.

They found a compartment that wasn't full of people, sat down, and began talking.

"I hope Ron gets here soon," said Hermione. "It's been so long since all three of us have talked all together, you know?"

"You're right," said Harry with a touch of sadness. "With the war and everything else going on I don't suppose we have many chances to. I mean, we haven't talked all summer."

"I know," said Hermione, shooting a look at the compartment door earnestly. "Ron needs to march his freckled butt in here so we can get back to having a good time! All three of us, like it should be."

"I don't think he needs to be here for us to have a good time," Harry said, adjusting himself on the seat akwardly. "Aren't you enjoying yourself talking to me?"

Hermione understood what he was saying, and opened her mouth to say that that wasn't what she meant, but she was saved by Ron suddenly bursting into the compartment, dragging Lavender with him. "Hey Harry, hey Hermione, met my new girlfriend?"

"You actually have a girlfriend? Where?" Harry said sarcastically, looking around the train compartment, purposely looking everywhere but at Lavender. Hermione nudged Harry in the ribs, and said, "That's great Ron. Yes, we all know Lavender."

Harry said fighting back a laugh. Lavender smiled at Ron, gave him a small kiss on the cheek, and said, "See you at school." Then she walked out of the compartment.

Ron grinned mischievously. "Why don't you have a girlfriend, Harry? Harry looked at Ron, Hermione, then at Ron again.

"What?" Harry said, half-laughing, thinking either Ron had gone insane, or that it was just a joke. "Who would be my girlfriend?"

Ron grinned slyly. This is gonna be good He thought.

"Hermione."

Harry looked around at Hermione, who didn't appear to be paying any attention to their conversation (thank Merlin) and was glancing at her chipped nails in distaste.

"Ron, I want to have a talk with you," Harry said slyly. "Just a sec' Hermione."

He grabbed Ron by the arm pulling him out of the train compartment violently.

"What the hell are you thinking?" Harry hissed at Ron. "You know every detail of my feelings for Hermione. Then you go and pull a stunt like that!" he said, scowling.

Ron was leaning against the wall, arms folded across his chest, smiling. " I just thought that you two would make a very nice couple."

Ron chuckled. Harry chuckled as well in spite of himself.

Ron chuckled because he knew something that Harry did not.

He had a plan.

"Why don't you ask her out?" Ron said. "If she says yes, then good for you, if she says no, then tell her you were joking and you were dared to ask her out!"

Harry just stared at him before rolling his eyes, walking back into the compartment, and slamming the door behind him.

No matter, Ron thought. There's always plan B.

A/N: I am in the process of revising the rest of my story. You will be able to tell which chapters have not been revised. TRUST ME.