Hello! Here's chapter 2!

I do not own Harry Potter

In order to become smarter, Ron turned to the second smartest person he knew of. The couple of weeks after the Christmas holidays were spent checking the library every evening in search of Ernie MacMillan. When Ron eventually found Ernie, he sat down at Ernie's table without asking if the chair was free.

"Hi, Ernie." Ron said as pleasantly as he could manage.

"Oh, hello." Ernie did not seem too pleased at the interruption. His tone reminded Ron of Hermione when her concentration was broken.

"Would you mind helping me out?" Ron asked, leaning in surreptitiously.

"Yes, I heard that you and Hermione weren't talking. But I can't say I'm comfortable letting you copy my homework, Ron."

Ron shook his head frantically, hoping to steer away from the topic of his and Hermione's month long silence as quickly as possible. The morning after the Yule Ball, upon Hermione's attempt to talk to Ron, he had given her the silent treatment. When she had asked what was wrong and Ron still didn't reply, she had shouted at him. The words of her vent were etched into the stone of his memory.

"This is about Viktor, isn't it? You can't bear to see me having a good time without anyone but you and Harry! You're jealous that I had the time of life while you were moping around. Well, get used to it! Viktor may not be perfect, but he's sweet and charming, and he actually acknowledges me as more than just a means of homework help."

"This isn't about homework." Ron said, trying to keep his tone bright, despite the stinging memory. "And it certainly isn't about Hermione."

"Okay, what can I do for you?" Ernie sounded impatient, so Ron launched straight into his explanation.

"There's this girl, and I really like her. I need to impress her, so I need you to tell me how you're so smart, so that she'll notice me."

Ernie appeared somewhat baffled but he replied kindly nevertheless.

"I'm no miracle worker, but I'm sure I could give you a few pointers. Start reading books. Get one out of the library and let her see you reading it."

Ron grinned; he knew the ideal book to use.

"I suppose you could start doing your homework on time," Ernie continued. "And don't ask Hermione for help."

"This isn't about Hermione!" Ron snapped before he could stop himself. Turning red, he lapsed into silence.

"You could ask the girl if she needs homework help." Ernie suggested, now looking suspiciously at Ron beneath a furrowed brow. "You could try putting your hand up in lessons for a change. Other than that, I don't know what to suggest."

Ron had hoped for something a little easier to implement, but he thanked Ernie regardless and hurried to take out the book he needed.

The next hour was spent sat in the common room, trying to force himself through the chapters of his book, awaiting Hermione's appearance.

When she eventually arrived, wearing her scarf and gloves, she stopped short, staring at Ron.

"Why are you reading?" she asked.

Ron shrugged nonchalantly.

"Are you doing homework?"

Ron shook his head, deciding now was the best time to move his fingers, dramatically revealing the title of the book, Hogwarts, A History.

Hermione's confused scowl deepened.

"You're always nagging us to read it." Ron said. "I thought I'd give it a try. Did you know that Hogwarts was founded in 990?"

"Yes." Hermione said bluntly, evidently not impressed at being patronised. "Yes, I did know that, Ron."

She began to storm over to the stairs, but Ron called her back.

"Wait!" he said desperately. "I've finished my homework."

"Do you want a prize?" Hermione said sardonically.

She attempted to leave again. Ron shouted after her once more. She turned but did not meet his eyes, instead folding her arms and looking to the floor.

"Where've you been all evening?" Ron asked, eyeing her outdoor attire.

"I don't think that's any of your business." Hermione said coldly.

"Come on, Hermione, just tell me."

Hermione laughed cruelly. "You really want to know where I was, fine, I'll tell you. I was with Viktor. He asked me to come and visit the Durmstrang ship."

Ron's disappointment must have shown; Hermione took a few steps towards him, meeting his gaze with sympathetic eyes.

"Listen," she said gently. "Viktor may be sweet, but he's just a friend."

Ron did not want Hermione knowing that he had witnessed the kiss she and Krum had shared, and so he was forced to bite back the cutting remark he so longed to deliver. He instead remained silent, hiding his face behind his book.

"I've had enough of this silence." Hermione said impatiently, walking over and sitting on the chair next to Ron. She extended a hand. "Friends?"

The word stung somewhat, but Ron was grateful that Hermione was at least willing to talk to him now. He took her hand and shook it, holding it for as long as he dared. If Hermione noticed the extended contact, she did not mention it.

"Have you really done all your homework?" she asked in disbelief, smiling good-humouredly.

Ron beamed. "All of it."

"You're not going to ask me to check it?"

"No."

"Well, if you're trying to impress me, you've succeeded." If it had not been for Hermione's laugh, Ron would have thought she had already figured out his master plan. "Anyway," she continued. "I'm going to head off to bed."

"'Night." Ron said.

"Goodnight."

Ron watched her leave until she was gone from sight. He was about to turn back to Hogwarts, A History, when Harry appeared in the corner, pulling off his invisibility cloak.

Ron jumped. "Bloody hell, Harry. What are you doing?"

"I wanted to see how phase one of the plan worked out." Harry sat in the seat Hermione had just evacuated.

"It failed." Ron said darkly.

"I wouldn't say so. She said she was impressed."

"She said we were friends."

"Did you expect that as soon as she saw you with a book, she'd leap in your arms and you'd live happily ever after? I don't know why you're so upset. At least you found out that her and Krum are only friends."

"You believed her?" Ron asked incredulously.

"Of course. Hermione's no liar."

"You didn't see her snogging Krum, Harry. Friends don't snog! I don't know why she's lying, but she is lying."

"Maybe Hermione stopped the kiss after you left."

Ron was not convinced but was too down heartened to argue.

"You're not giving up are you?" Harry asked. "What else did Ernie suggest?"

"He said I should put my hand up in lessons, but that's easier said than done."

Harry nodded his agreement.

"He said I should ask Hermione whether she needs homework help," Ron added. "But I don't think she'd take too kindly to that."

"Me neither. Perhaps you should move on from brains and try another thing on the list."

Ron sighed, not quite willing to let the first phase of his plan remain such a failure. It had not been a complete waste of time, but Ron's little success was marred by Hermione's lie. Despite Harry's suggestion being a perfectly viable possibility, Ron was unable to accept it. There was something in the way that Krum and Hermione had kissed that suggested Hermione had not been able to pull away; she had seemed so engrossed in Krum, so love-struck, that there could be no denying the fact that she had more on her mind than friendship.

Ron pulled out the diagram, and, with Harry's help, he selected the quality he would tackle next.

I would love to know what you think about this chapter and what you think might happen next :)