A/N: The third chapter of Forgetting the Hate! I hope you enjoy!

Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to a family I know, I went to school with one of them from kindergarten through 8th grade. Anyway, the four children in this family have lost both a father and recently a mother. I am not sure if it is their biological or adopted parents, but just the same.

Warning: Ron and Ginny bashing!

Disclaimer: The HP Book Universe belongs to JK Rowling and JK Rowling alone!

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"We have decided to take the following actions…" Dumbledore began. "Mr. Weasley, you will receive two weeks worth of detentions, you will be kicked off the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, your prefect badge will be revoked, and you are banned from going to Hogsmade." Ron slammed his fist into the chair with enough force to break off the wood arm rest. Tears were still running down his face and dripping off his nose. "Any other problems from you could lead to expulsion," Dumbledore cautioned him. Ron took off his prefect badge and placed it in the Headmasters waiting hand.

"You may go now, Mr. Weasley," said Professor McGonagall sternly. Ron wiped at his face and stalked from the room, he slammed the door so hard the portraits swayed momentarily.

"Technically, Mr. Potter, you should be punished for tackling him to the floor, but considering the circumstances, we understand you were only trying to protect Ms. Granger. Had you not reacted as fast as you did, Mr. Weasley would likely be expelled for hitting a female student." Dumbledore explained, with a solemn expression.

"Also, we appear to be short of a Gryffindor boy's sixth year prefect. Professor McGonagall agrees with me that you are the most deserving candidate, she wanted to make you prefect all along. However, for the reasons I explained to you last year, she reluctantly agreed to make Mr. Weasley the prefect." Hermione squealed and gave Harry a tight hug. Harry grinned too, he was excited to spend more time with Hermione. Dumbledore and McGonagall laughed for a moment at the excited teenagers in front of them. He handed over the scarlet and gold badge, which Harry pinned right next to his quidditch captain badge.

"I will see you in class tomorrow. Let me know about any further altercations immediately!" McGonagall emphasized, Dumbledore nodded his head in agreement. Together they walked through the door, they grabbed hands and intertwined their fingers as soon as the door swung shut.

Everywhere they walked students would point and murmur excitedly, whether it was from their relationship or Ron they were unsure. Students shamelessly followed them, all the while talking quietly amongst themselves. Hermione pulled Harry into the library which, of course, shook off all the students following them.

"This is simply getting ridiculous!" Hermione whispered, frustrated. "Can't they worry about their own lives for once. They probably already know all about Ron considering how fast stuff gets around in this school!"

"Shhh, Hermione calm down," Harry whispered too with a grin, "you'll have to get used to it."

"Yeah, how have you put up with it for so long?" Hermione asked.

"You just learn to ignore it," Harry explained.

They peeked out the library doors and when they saw the coast was clear they snuck out. Perhaps with some form of divine intervention they managed to make it all the way back to the common room without passing any curious students. They collapsed onto the common room couch next to each other, Hermione pulled out the animagus books and read. Harry leaned back and relaxed with his eyes shut, both failed to notice the eyes watching them from the stairs.

Hours later, Hermione shook Harry and he awoke with a start. "What time is it?" he asked.

"Well past midnight, I got a tad bit engrossed in this book, it is very interesting," Hermione explained, her whole face glowing.

"I bet, how long should the process take?" asked Harry interested.

"There is a potion involved that will take about a month to two to brew, I was thinking we could use the Room of Requirement. Besides the potion we have to do some meditative exercises every day, and the rest depends on the type of animal and raw magical ability of those involved in the ritual." Hermione explained.

"When can we get started?" Harry asked, even more excited than before.

"We will need to collect potion ingredients, I am sure Professor Slughorn would be willing to donate the ingredients we need, none of them are illegal for students to handle."

"Okay, sounds good. I'm gonna go up to bed. Goodnight, Hermione" Harry said, before reaching over and kissing her soundly for just a few moments. Then he got up stretched out and walked over to the stairs. Just before he disappeared, he turned back, smiled softly at Hermione who had her head buried in the enormous tome again, and then walked up the stairs. Harry sighed when he heard the even louder than normal snoring from the bed next to his, indicating that Ron was still awake. Harry changed into his pajamas and then slipped under the sheets. However, he did not allow himself to fall asleep until he was convinced Ron was asleep, he would do anything to make sure Ron never tried to hurt Hermione again. Anything.

He woke up early the next morning even though it was a weekend, a Hogsmeade weekend at that. Harry was very excited to go on his second official date with Hermione. He took extra time in the shower and spent much of the remaining time in front of the mirror trying to tame his unruly hair. He put on a nice sweater, khaki pants, and his only pair of dress shoes, to match his belt. He remembered he was supposed to drop by the hospital wing yesterday and flew out the door. He skidded into the hospital wing, almost knocking over a flustered Madame Pomfrey.

"I'm really sorry ma'am, I forgot I was supposed to drop by here," Harry explained.

"Oh yes, Mr. Potter. Just a moment please," with that she disappeared into her office and came back with a small box and a glasses case. "I have a pair of glasses here, which actually fit your prescription and contacts if you want them. I put standard enchantments on each, the glasses won't break and repel water, and you will never need to take the contacts out," she explained, handing them to him.

"Thank you, ma'am!" Harry exclaimed, before leaving the hospital wing. He hurried back to the common room, anxious to see Hermione. He caught her just as she was coming down the stairs. She wore a nice yellow blouse, a white skirt which came down a couple inches above her knees, and white pearl sandals. Her hair fell past her shoulders in ringlets of curled hair, and she had a small beaded purse slung over her shoulder. Harry greeted her with a tight hug, "you look beautiful, love." He whispered softly into her ear. She smiled at him in thanks, before noticing the objects in his hand.

Harry noticed her stare, "Oh, I was meaning to ask you, what do you like more..." He put the glasses on for a few moments, and then took them off, and put the contacts in.

"I did love fixing your glasses, but your eyes really stick out without them! I love the contacts." Hermione breathed, taking a good look at his bright, emerald eyes.

"Ok, that's what I'll wear then," he said before going up to his room to put the glasses on his night stand.

He came back downstairs and grabbed her hand; once again a pair of eyes followed them until they left through the portrait hole.

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Well, what did you think of Ron's punishment? Was it too harsh or do you think it was too soft? Sorry for not getting this chapter up yesterday.