CHAPTER TWO

The Unfound Rights of Elven

Plan B….

"What to do?" Ron muttered to himself.

He was in the Gryffindor common room when he realized that he had no Plan B. He was flipping through a book that seemed kind of dodgy, looking for anything that would help him. And that's when he spotted it. There, in spidery red writing:

The Telepathic Charm

A classic charm that has been around for hundreds of years. This charm enables you to think the thoughts of the person that you aimed your wand at. A terrific little charm, very simple to perform. Simply point your wand at the person you wish, and say, "Relgontium!" Presto, hear their thoughts in your head.

Note: If the person realizes that you can hear there thoughts, the charm will cease to work for you.

"That's it!" Ron said to himself. "I can listen to Hermione's thoughts and see if she is attracted to Harry! Ron, you're brilliant!"

Ron crept down to the library, where Harry was reading Famous Quidditch Players Throughout the Years, and where Hermione was reading The Unfound Rights of Elven with rapt attention. They were in the back of the room; their books propped up on a small, round table.

Ron looked at them and chuckled rather evilly. "This is going to be all too easy," he thought.

Ron crouched down on the other side of the bookshelf, pulled out his wand, and aimed it directly at Hermione. Neither one of them saw Ron, as they both had their faces buried behind their books.

Ron muttered the simple spell. What looked like silver water shot out of the tip of his wand, circled the air directly above Hermione's head three times, and then dissolved in midair.

Instantly a very chattery voice filled Ron's mind.

'House Elven have since the beginning of civilization been prejudiced. They have always been treated with the utmost cruelty, and they have been brainwashed to believe that this is right. Hear, hear! Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived and who is famous for temporarily defeating He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, freed one of the very few house elven that did not enjoy being enslaved. Yes, Harry is a kind soul. Poor dear. He shouldn't have all that responsibility on his shoulders, with Lord Voldemort…His shoulders....'

Hermione glanced over at Harry.

'He has broad shoulders. Nice face too…'

Ron now smiled, put his wand back in his pocket, stood up, and cleared his throat so that Harry and Hermione would know he was there. They both looked up from their books. Or, in Hermione's case, her Harry.

"Oh, hi Ron!" Hermione said.

Ron smiled. "Part One of Plan B complete. Now off to Part Two!," Ron thought. "Hermione," Ron started. "Can I talk to you a sec?"

"Sure," Hermione said. Ron led her to the other end of the library, where no other students were. "What are you up to this time?" Hermione asked sardonically. Ron just smiled. "You like Harry, don't you?" Ron said. Hermione snorted.

"Of course I like him, you and Harry are my two closest friends!"

"No," Ron said quickly. "I mean, like him in the other way."

Hermione just stared at Ron. He could tell for sure in her eyes that she had indeed fallen in love with Harry, but Ron wanted to find out if she'd admit it.

Hermione's gave him a why-in-the-world-did-you-think-that kind of look.

"Did you get hit with a bludger in your last quidditch match?"

Hermione shook her head in a don't-know-what-he-was- thinking way, and headed back to the place where she was sitting before.