Chapter 3 - Misguided Hands

Ronald Weasley headed towards the dungeons. He didn't want to, but he had no choice. He realized just as he was about to start his homework that he'd left his potions book in the room. He was about to open the door when he heard a sound. He did not want to run into a professor, so he ducked around the corner.

Just in time, as soon as he was hidden, the classroom door opened and out stepped Professor Snape.

Oh, thank Merlin, was the only thought in Ron's mind as the man vanished down the hallway. The redhead slipped into the classroom, quickly finding his bag, and then turned to leave…and that was when he saw it. It was a small vial sitting on Slughorn's desk.

It wouldn't hurt to look.

He picked it up and tried to see if he could identify it by color. Nope. He glanced around, knowing that what he was about to do was not the best of ideas, but went ahead with it anyway. He un-stoppered the vial and smelled it. Huh…no scent. He looked at the color again…and then he remembered.

For once, he realized that he actually remembered something from class.

It was Veritaserum.

He was surprised that it had been left on the desk. Should he take it? He briefly thought about it, knowing that he shouldn't, but then he remembered what had happened earlier in the day. And that was when it hit him. Hermione had identified the Amortentia potion earlier in the day in Potions. She had smelled spearmint…and that was something that they could both remember and relate to.

When they'd almost kissed over the summer, it had been right after he'd brushed his teeth. It was a very vivid memory for him. She liked him! It was the only explanation.

He huffed to himself. Not that she'd admit it in a million years…and then his eyes drifted to the potion.

He grinned. He'd smelled spearmint earlier that day when he'd been near the Amortentia…and so did she. He looked at the vial in his hand, and back towards the open door. No one would even notice.

As he walked out the door, he lovingly patted his pocket, reassured that by this time tomorrow, she would be declaring her love for him and everyone else to know…

Ron made sure to get to breakfast before Hermione, but he was barely able to make it there on time, leaving him no time to put the truth serum into any of her food or drink. Great! Just what he needed, a missed opportunity.

He watched and listened carefully to the conversation, unable to join in most of the time as he had food in his mouth.

But then Harry said…

"Why don't we go to the Three Broomsticks tonight? You know, just the three of us? It's been a while since we've done anything with just each other."

He gave them both a grin, and Ron realized that he was right. It had been a long time. He smiled, but not for the reason that they suspected. It was perfect…he could get Hermione's drink for her and spike it then. And then, when all three of them were comfortable and chatting away, he could just throw out his question and let the happy consequences follow when they declared their love for one another.

Hermione nodded at Harry's request. "Yes, that does sound like a good idea, doesn't it? But we'll have to wait until eight…I have some quick changes that I have to make to my project that I'm working on with Professor Snape. I think that it will be good enough to advance me to Masters Level potions."

Ron rolled his eyes. Luckily, that should be something that he could talk her out of. Once she eventually became a Weasley, she would learn that studies weren't all that important.

Part 3/?