"Um…Hermione, can I talk to you for a second please?"

Ron had seen Hermione studying in the common room and decided to approach her. He just hoped he wouldn't say anything to make her even more upset.

"Sure, just make it quick, I have to study for my Ancient Runes test."

"Okay…well, um, I'm sorry I got so angry at you yesterday. I just really, really hate Malfoy and I, um, think he's a sleazy pig. I guess what I'm trying to say is…um…I'm really sorry. You can like whoever you want, but if he hurts you, tell me and I'll hurt him."

Hermione looked him in the eye. Ron was normally so full of pride, and was so protective over both Ginny and Hermione. She thought it was so sweet and out of character, well apart from the sleazy pig part, for him to make a meaningful apology.

"Thank you, Ron. That means a lot to me." Hermione gave him a little smile.

"Okay, well, I um will leave you to study. See you later then." Ron gave a little wave and left the common room, probably to find Harry or Dean.

As Hermione read her textbook, she thought long and hard about the thing that had been on her mind constantly for a week. Draco. More specifically, she thought about what she should do if he found out about her crush. To be honest, Ginny, Harry, and Ron weren't the best at keeping secrets. Whenever Ron liked someone, Ginny would tell Luna Lovegood. Luna was sweet, but sometimes said things without realising, so at least two Ravenclaws would find out. Then the gossip would get around Ravenclaw house, Hufflepuff, and eventually Slytherin. Gryffindor would find out through Ginny. Hermione knew that could easily happen to her, so she needed a plan.

If she had a lesson with Draco, she would sit next to Harry and Ron, and they would sit as far away from him as possible, like they usually did. When walking between lessons, Hermione would always have some friends with her. At dinner, she would listen out for anyone speaking her name, so she would know if one of her friends had opened their mouths. If the gossip spread and she knew Draco had found out, well she'd make up another plan when it happened.

She told Ginny her plan, if you could call it that, and Ginny thought it was a good idea to have it there. Ginny, unfortunately, had told Luna, but so far Luna hadn't told anyone else. Hermione told Ginny to keep a close eye on Luna and listen out for anyone talking about the secret. That way, Hermione would know how many people knew, and more importantly, if any Slytherin's knew.

At dinner, Luna came over to the Gryffindor table to talk to Ginny, but also came over to Hermione.

"Hello Hermione," she said in the airy voice, "How are you?"

"Hi Luna, I'm fine."

"Is it true that you like Draco?" To say his name, she leaned in and whispered it like it was a deadly disease.

"Yes, and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mention it to anybody. You haven't told anybody, have you?"

"Oh no, I knew you wouldn't want it spread around the school. Oh well, I'm going to go now, bye!" Luna quickly walked back to her house table.

"She walked off in a hurry!" Said Ron, staring at her.

"Yeah, well, she was probably scared that Nargles would get into her soup while she was gone!" said Harry, laughing afterwards.

Ron was still staring at her. Although Luna had a lot of strange beliefs, like Nargles and Crumple-Horned Snorkack, she was quite attractive. Obviously, Ron had noticed this as he was one step away from having his mouth hanging open and drooling. Harry noticed Ron's seemingly sudden lust for her and started teasing him.

"Like Luna, do you?" said Harry.

"No…why would I like Luna?"

"I don't know, all I know is that you like her. You keep staring at her, and…EWWW are you drooling!"

Ron wiped his mouth and turned back around to Hermione and Harry.

"Well…I don't know if I like her or not. It's like, every time I look at her I like her more and more, but then she mentions Nargles and I realise she's a complete and utter weirdo."

"Well, Ron," said Hermione, "I think it's sweet that you like Luna. Maybe we should invite her to come to Hogsmeade with us on our next visit, so we can all get to know her better."

"I guess that'll be ok."

After that, they all finished eating their soup, had pudding, and left the great hall. If only love wasn't so confusing, thought Ron and Hermione. If only they weren't judged for liking someone. If only…