Disclaimer - Yep, I still don't own these pretties.

A/N - Well.. no reviews! Oh boy! But I'm starting chapter two anyways! So there!

Ron furiously copied Lavender's paper, allowing her to coo sweet-nothings at him as she nibbled on his ear. "Uh huh... mm..." he kept mumbling lamely as he tried to jot down every last detail so he could draft it into his own essay during Charms. He had learned long ago that copying someone else's work word-for-word wasn't a good idea. When he was done he packed his work up, shoved a roll into his mouth, and mumbled a goodbye to Lavender. She blew a kiss at him as he slipped out of the Great Hall.

He ran all the way to Charms so he could be just as early as Hermione is every time. Sure enough, she was sitting at her table waiting for class to start. He slid into the seat next to her. "Dean will want to sit there," she said, still looking forward.

He remembered his story and smiled to himself, not bothered by her snide little statement. "Well, I suppose he'll have to ask me to move when he gets here," Ron said, getting out his materials.

Hermione peered over at his things. She rolled her eyes. "Still procrastinating on that Herbology essay?" she asked.

Ron smiled at her. "Actually, no. I'm doing it right now," he replied.

She scoffed and looked angry. "Did you copy from someone again?" she asked.

"Yep," he said.

"Typical," she snipped. He shrugged and started on his Herbology essay. More kids started filtering into the room. Ron heard a book thump down onto their desk.

"Excuse me," Dean said. "May I claim my seat?"

"If you get here earlier, maybe," Ron responded, not looking up from his work. He grinned imagining Dean's and Hermione's expressions. Hermione was, no doubt, impressed. Dean huffed, mumbled a 'see you later' at Hermione, and stormed off to another desk. He had to sit next to Lavender. Ron snickered.

When Charms was over, Ron triumphantly went forth to Herbology. Dean and Hermione were able to grab seats next to each other, so Ron was forced to stare at Hermione from across the room. When the class got boring enough, he took out his story and began to write...

"Hermione showed up in the Gryffindor common room exactly on time. She sat down next to Ron, trying to not look at him.

'Hey Hermione,' Ron said, his eyes sparkling.

'Hello Ron,' she replied. 'Are you ready to work on your Herbology?' Hermione was looking quite beautiful.

'Ready if you are, babe,' Ron answered.

'Don't call me that!' Hermione snapped."

Ron stopped writing and scowled. Hermione even fought with him in his fantasies! Damn her! He glared at her from his seat. After glaring at Hermione for ten minutes, she finally glanced over at him and glared back. Ron huffed to himself. Then, grinning mischieviously, Ron stooped back over his parchment.

"Ron shrugged and began to work on his Herbology. He was making some very good points.

'Wow! Ron, how do you know all of this?' Hermione asked.

'Well, Hermione, I have to admit that I have known all this all along. I only pretended not to so that you'd tutor me,' Ron explained.

Hermione looked shocked. 'I'm flattered, Ron,' she gasped. 'You made everyone believe you were immensely stupid only so you could be with me! That's so daring! I would not be able to do that because I am an incorrigible know-it-all.'"

Ron chuckled to himself, earning a few wayward glances from nearby students. Including Harry.

"What are you doing?" Harry whispered, leaning towards is friend and attempting to get a look at his paper.

Ron covered his story with his arms. "Nothing," he whispered back.

"What were you writing then?" Harry persisted.

"Notes!" he snapped.

"What was so funny, then?" Harry asked.

"Your ugly face!" Ron said, then turned away from Harry. Harry gaped at Ron and then plastered a petulant pout on his face as he returned to listening to Sprout drone on and on about Lion's mane root. Whatever that was. Ron continued to write...

'I think you're too hard on yourself, Hermione,' Ron said kindly, patting her on the back.

'Oh Ron!' Hermione cried, throwing her arms around the handsome red-head.

Ron looked at her seriously. 'Hermione... what would Dean think if he saw you right now?' he asked.

'I don't care what he thinks!' Hermione said, leaning closer to him.

'Why not?' Ron asked.

'Because he is a stupid oaf and a maladorous git! He can't compare to you, Ron!' Hermione cried. 'You must believe me! You are way smarter than any boy at Hogwarts and way more handsome! And also you are more daring than Harry!'

'I'm sorry, Hermione...' Ron said. 'I don't mess with girls who have boyfriends.'

Hermione looked distraught. Tears streamed down her face. 'I'll fix this, Ron!' she said dramatically, getting to her feet. 'Trust me!'"

Students started filing out of the classroom. Ron hurriedly stuffed his story into his bag and rushed out of the classroom after Hermione. "Hermione!" he called. She and Dean were holding hands as they walked to Potions together. Hermione turned and eyed Ron with contempt. "What do you want?" she asked venomously when Ron was within range.

"Just wanted to warn you that Snape is giving a surprise test today.." Ron told her brightly. "Oh and Dean.. Harry said he wanted to talk to you."

"Huh?" Dean murmered, looking further back down the hallway for Harry. "See you in class," he told Hermione, heading off to find Harry.

Hermione only looked panicked and rushed off towards the dungeons. Ron kept up with her. "I'm sure you know the material just fine," he cooed.

"No, no, no!" she cried. "I'm a little behind on the reading! I've been spending too much time with Dean! I'm so stupid! Oh Gods!"

"Doing what?" Ron asked, both of them now running.

"None of your business, WEASLEY," she hissed, dodging into the Potions room.

He followed after her. "Oh come off it, Hermione! I don't want to be dealing with two Malfoys!" he whined.

"What was that you said, Weasley?" a drawling voice asked. Ron ignored Draco and grabbed the seat next to Hermione. She glared at him and was about to say something when Draco planted his hands on their table. "I hate to break up your little love session, but-" Draco sneered. "Oh that's right, Granger has finally moved on! I'll bet that's tearing you all up inside, Weasley."

"Yeah," Ron said, "probably just like how you felt when I was shagging Pansy."

Draco's eyes burned into Ron's. "You'd do well not to bring that up ever again," he hissed.

"Well that would be easier to do if Pansy weren't always begging for another go..." Ron shot back.

"That's disgusting, Ron!" Hermione cried as she ferverently scanned her notes.

Draco remained murderously calm. "Not as disgusting as the sight of you and Thomas going at it," Draco said coolly. Hermione snapped to the ready, eyes blazing with hatred. Ron looked confused as to why Draco had let him get away with such a bad insult. But Draco wasn't done. "And not as disgusting as Ginny Weasley's obsession with me," he added, smirking.

Ron got to his feet, face red. "Don't you ever talk about my sister like that! That's a lie!" Ron objected fiercely.

"Down, Mr. Weasley," Snape ordered as he swept into the room. Ron and Draco glared at each other. "Back to your seat, Draco." Hermione, looking nervous, yanked Ron back down into his seat. Draco scoffed and sauntered back over his seat next to Blaise, who had been watching with conflict with humour.

Harry and Dean bounced into the room. Dean was just in time to see Hermione grab Ron's hand and pull him into the seat next to her. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he took the last seat next to Pansy Parkinson. Ron turned his seat to smirk at Dean, and then at Pansy. Both of them grumbled obscenities under their breath.

"Now," Snape said brightly, "time for a surprise test!" The class groaned and someone shrieked. "Impressive display," Snape drawled, passing out the tests. "Perhaps you should have done the work I assigned."

Hermione, feeling as if that remark were personally directed at her, shuddered.