"What am I going to do?" Ron groaned, burying his face in his hands as soon as George had walked away.

"Talk to Hermione, maybe?" Harry suggested.

"I'm not talking about that!" Ron scoffed. "I'm talking about the fact that George is going to tell Fred that I let Hermione's name slip, and then the two of them are going to tease me to eternity!"

"That's what you're worried about?!" Harry snapped. "That Fred and George are going to tease you?"

"What else would I be worried about?" Ron said in disbelief.

"Maybe the fact that George gave this whole speech about falling for a friend, and you instantly said Hermione!" Harry exclaimed. "If you're going to try to suppress these feelings and instead worry about what Fred and George will think of it, I pity you." Harry felt bad about being so harsh with Ron, especially when they had just reconciled, but as his friend he needed to tell him when he was being a total prat.

"I don't like Hermione!" Ron said indignantly.

"Sure." Harry said sarcastically.

"Seriously! The whole 'friend' thing just threw me off, so I just said her name." Ron concluded.

"So why didn't you just say my name, then?" Harry humored him.

"Ew! Because you're...I'm not going to snog you!"

"So you'd snog Hermione?"

"That's not what I meant! You know what I mean..."

"Not exactly."

"You're a guy. I can't even contemplate snogging you." Ron said flatly.

"But you can contemplate snogging Hermione." Harry smirked.

"You know what? I don't even need to explain myself. This conversation is over." Ron concluded grumpily.

"Fine." Harry sighed, and added seriously. "But we're okay with it though, you know? Fred, George, and, I. We support it, actually."

"Support what?" Ron sighed angrily.

"You and Hermione. Together." Ron opened his mouth to retort, and Harry stopped him. "I'm not going to get into this argument again, I'm just saying that don't use the idea of me or Fred or George not approving of Hermione as an excuse of keeping you from admitting any feelings you may possibly have for her, okay?" Harry said.

O~O

It had all been a dream. Hermione kept repeating to herself the next morning. Then why did it seem so real? Even if it wasn't real, there seemed to be some sort of truth to the dream Hermione thought the next morning as she noted the lack of energy the Gryffindor students showed at breakfast, no doubt still tired from their late night. She noticed Fred Weasley's head lying flat on the table, with Angelina Johnson's running a soothing hand in his hair and George attempting to coax him into drinking something, most likely a tonic of sorts. If Fred was hungover, then he was drunk last night, just like in her dream. If Fred's alcohol consumption seemed to parallel the same amount as in her dream, would it be safe to say that if she had attended that party, she would have snogged Ron Weasley?

Impossible.

She should tell Ron about this stupid dream she had. He would definitely laugh!

Or he'd be extremely creeped out. Maybe it wouldn't be the best idea.

However, she was looking forward to seeing Ron this morning. Hermione expected him to be overjoyed at the prospect of being friend's with Harry again; she loved seeing Ron happy.

She spotted Harry and Ron walking down to breakfast together. She tried to pay attention to her book, but found herself sneaking glances at Ron. For some reason, she was disappointed he did not catch her eye. He seemed to think that taking advantage of Fred's massive headache was much more appealing that sharing a look with Hermione. But what was the use of getting upset over it? It wasn't Ron's fault that he wasn't sneaking peaks at Hermione every few seconds; it was her fault for hoping he would.

And why did she so desperately want to make eye contact with him anyway?

Hermione didn't talk to Ron at all that day. The next day, she was doing her homework, when she realized it was almost seven o'clock. That was the time she always met Ron in the Room of Requirement. Hadn't he said something on Thursday about meeting the same time tomorrow, until Hermione had reminded him that the next day was Friday? Ron was a procrastinator. He wouldn't do his homework on Friday. He wouldn't do it on Saturday, either. Of course he would put it off until the last minute! And that meant Sunday night. So maybe, just maybe, Ron was in the Room of Requirement, waiting for her.

Hermione gathered her books and went to the Room of Requirement. She waited. And waited.

After a half an hour, it became apparent that Ron was not going to show up. She decided to stay in the Room of Requirement and enjoy the comfort of the room and do her homework. However, the room wasn't nearly as comfortable without a laughing Ron Weasley by her side.

Hermione walked into Transfiguration the next day, vowing not to say a word about how she had waited for him in the Room of Requirement the night before. Maybe, just maybe, he would remember and apologize for forgetting to show up.

Ron walked in late, laughing loudly with Harry, before slamming his books on the desk he shared with Hermione, still chuckling.

"Well," Professor McGonagall began, "It is clear to see Potter and Weasley are friends again." Harry and Ron grinned sheepishly while most of the class laughed. "Mr. Potter, due to your outstanding and most likely nerve-wracking performance on Friday, I will let this one slide. However, do not be late again."

"Yes, Professor." Harry and Ron said in unison, and then sent mischievous glances towards one another.

Hermione sighed angrily and thought bitterly, Here we go again.