AN: I think Ron is kind of into Hermione on some level here… also, I take some comedy stuff from TV and comics (ect.), but I can't really remember where they all come from, so I don't cite. Just FYI.

Extracurricular Activities

Ron's POV

The day from hell was finally over, and I was dragging my feet while making my way to the dorms. Mmm, there is nothing like a large empty hallway to make you feel like a total loser.

Then, as I was about to turn a corner, I heard some hushed voices coming from an abandoned classroom. I did what anyone related to Fred and George would do: I eavesdropped.

"…it be dangerous. I'm a little scared for you. I'm scared for both of us." It was some girl's voice I couldn't place.

"Don't you get it?" some other girl replied "It has already begun. Things are getting serious. People like you and me can't afford to wait. The red carpet isn't going to roll out for us like it will for people like Malfoy. No, we need to prove our importance…"

"We're going to get caught! We are going to die! What you're talking about is too dangerous!"

"No, didn't you listen to Professor Bins, we just need to acquire the right… protection."

"I hope you are not saying what I think your saying."

"Just one sacrifice and we'll have every-"

What the hell were they talking about? Anyway, it sounded serious, so I decided to peek around the corner to get a better look at the speakers. But just as I was bout to catch a glimpse of the two girls, I hear someone shout out: "Ron!" I quickly turn around to see Hermione standing behind me. She looked a bit stunned, also her usually perfect robes were mysteriously crumpled and slightly out of place. The whole thing produced a sight strange enough to get me to focus all my attention towards it.

"What are you doing here?" Hermione said.

"You mean here in the hallway? What am I doing here in the hallway?" I asked. Ummm, was her hair a bit bushier that normal?

Hermione let out a nervous little giggle that reminded me of those prairie dogs again. I decided to end this stupid fight. So, I said: "Yeah, well, I was just looking for you and…Harry?" Strangely, Harry seemingly popped out of nowhere when I said his name. "Where did you come from?"

Harry's hair was definitely a bit more unruly that usual, and his glasses were askew on his face.

"What?" he said. Yet another example of my best friend's never ending wit. "Oh. You know. I was just walking around.. . . Yeah, so, here I am. Here we are, all of us, together."

"Um, sure…" What the hell was going on here? "So listen, sorry about being an ass today."

"Don't even mention it mate." Harry said with a smile as he was straightening himself out.

"So…did you guys have a run in with a skrewt, or something?" I said, trying to ease the mood.

"Yes" Harry said at the same time Hermione said: "No"

"Never mind. . ." I said, deciding some things were better left unknown. "Hey lets go to the common room. I hear Fred and George are testing out some new tricks on the first years."

"Yes, let's go right away." Hermione exclaimed "I can't believe they would deliberately break the rules in such a manner. And, manhandling innocent first years…"

Awkwardness forgotten, Harry looked at me and rolled his eyes.

All was right with the world.

Halloween: (about a month later)

The world sucks. The world can kiss my ass. And if you think differently, I'll stab you in the jaw. Yeah, just come over and see me; I'll be the guy with the black eye, swollen lip, and dislocated wrist, sitting on a bed in the infirmary, stabbing 'happy people' in the jaw; just come on over, say "hi."

This is shit. This whole thing; and I don't care if I was wrong; I don't care if I overreacted. They were wrong first.

It's been nearly a month. They could have told me. They should have told me. Hell, I should have figured it out myself.

I mean, those two had started spending so much time together. I've spent my life vying for attention from my family, so I should be able to figure out when I'm being ignored. We'll not quite "ignored" more "lets-try-to-make-up-for-the-fact-that-we-would-rather-not-be-here-(and-we-feel-guilty)-by-acting-fucking-weird.

Yeah, it like that.

I wasn't exactly a third wheel, but the vibe I got was off, you know. What can I say; hindsight's 20/20: Harry exclusively showering at the perfect bathroom, Hermione allowing me to copy her homework instead of forcing me to study with her, never waiting for me in the morning anymore, both of them laughing at inside jokes I didn't get, all that "well, were off, you know, perfect duty",… those knowing smiles. That was the worst; those fucking goofy smiles they sometimes gave each other over lunch or dinner or homework or in potions (when Harry was my partner but kept getting distracted by Hermione).

Sod it; this is giving me a headache.

No, wait. I think it was Harry's fist colliding with my face which gave me this headache.

I probably shouldn't have hit him first. I probably shouldn't have called Hermione a whore. I definitely shouldn't have walked to the Quidditch pitch looking for both of them.

Or maybe if I had confronted them there, and not half an hour later in the common room when they walked in and announced:

"Hey Ron, Perfect duty's over for tonight. How 'bout a game of chess?"

"No; that's all right." I had said loud enough for everyone to hear. "Although, I wasn't aware taking Harry's xxxx in your mouth was an outlined part of your job description. I hope McGonagall wasn't too technical when giving out orders, but it sure looked like you knew what you were doing…"

And it all went downhill from there.

I think it was Fred who finally pulled me off of Harry. Skinny bitch, can't even throw a decent punch, well a half decent punch………….

Oh my fuck, what have I done.