"Hermione?" mumbled Ron, scribbling the last of his Transfiguration essay.

"Yes, Ron?" she said clearly, gently placing her quill down on her parchment, turning to look at Ron.

"This whole Pansy-Harry thing had me thinkin'." said Ron, the words only trickling nervously from his mouth.

"I"m not in the mood, Ronald." snapped Hermione, raising her eyebrows threateningly, then returning to her paper. She wore a scowl that could tame even Mrs. Weasley.

"I mean you're smart and pretty and..." Ron began, his voice quivering terribly with nerves.

"What do you want, Ronald?" she shot, glaring at him from the corner of her eye. He only ever complimented her when he wanted something from her. She wasn't about to be taken for granted or stomped on to do his homework.

"You." she said simply. She dropped her quill and turned to him, her face hiding all the shock that was bottled up inside her.

She had wanted his affections since the end of her first year here at Hogwarts, and, now, finally, she would receive them. He felt the same way about her!

Well, she had known that, but the relationship was a godsend nonetheless.

"Ms. Parkinson, Mr. Potter." chimed the potions teacher as Harry walked, hand-in-hand, with Pansy to his potions class. As he attempted to take his seat beside her, Snape growled in annoyance.

"No, no. You will take your seat with Mr. Malfoy." his smiled widened. Oh, how he loved to frustrate Harry into non-existence. If only his previous attempts had succeeded... "Ms. Parkinson, you'll take your seat beside Ms. Granger. And, both of you will receive detention for your cheek."

"Cheek?" queried Harry, his voice rising slightly.

"In the Great Hall earlier." responded Pansy as she released his hand, exchanging with his a look of dire sadness. She walked slowly to the seat beside Hermione.

"Yes, Potter, now take your seat." Snape's grin only widened further.

"Would you prefer lip instead?" Shot Harry in his frustration. He'd normally hold his tongue around Snape for fear of retribution, but he just didn't care now. Snape was being intentionally evil. Moreso than normal, anyway.

Pansy grinned widely at Harry, pursing her lips only to lick them sensuously.

"Oh, I don't think so, hon. Save your lips for me." she said seductively, ignoring the environment and teacher overseeing them. The class broke into nervous laughter, causing Harry to blush violently.

Rolling his eyes, Snape proceeded to relay his instruction to the class. Today, they would be making a simple Sweeting Potion. As Snape completed his instruction and turned to his cauldron, Harry spoke quietly and snidely,

"My old friend." Sarcasm so very apparent in his voice.

"Pansy may have taken a liking to you, doesn't mean I have." Draco hissed, cutting his beetroot.

"Fair enough." said Harry calmly, raising his blade to do the same.

As the strangeness and awkwardness of the situation enveloped him, Harry turned to take a look at his girlfriend. Giggling energetically with Hermione, Pansy smiled back and winked. He was glad Hermione was able to along with her. Much more of this, Harry thought, and the two might even become best friends. Ron looked absolutely agitated.

"You really do love her, don't you?" Malfoy drawled.

Harry smiled distractedly and mhmmed.

Draco sighed and put his hand on Harry's shoulder, shaking it slightly. Harry turned to face him.

"Just take good care of her, will ya?"

After what Harry would consider and most profitable potions class (Draco had come to 'tolerate' Harry, Pansy befriended Hermione, and Harry had thoroughly annoyed Snape) Harry walked to Pansy, clumsily carrying his cauldron and potions textbook. Freeing what he could, he took Pansy's hand.

As Harry turned back for one last glare, Snape enthusiastically poured himself a glass of Sweetening Potion, the chugged the large goblet whole. For good measure, Snape licked his lips appreciatively.

"Better than usual." he said happily. T'was strange to see him in such a merry mood.

Pansy laughed so hard that she muted herself for need of air.

"What's so funny?" Harry asked, exchanging a puzzled look with Ron

Hermione joined in the fit of giggles. Something was most definitely up. Hermione was not one to giggle like this. Ron took her hand and gently turned her face toward him.

"Well, what is it? What's so funny?" he inquired, looking nearly twice as confused as Harry did. Pansy cackled,

"I peed in his cauldron."

Snape, overhearing her words, looked up in horror.