Something I would like to point out, a reader complained about lack of originality in a previous review. I would like to point out that I've only read a handful of works on here but due to the sheer size of the archive, I think it's safe to say there is no such thing as originality anymore. Anything I could think up has already been done a dozen times, if not more. Something I should have realized myself but didn't until that review else pointed it out.

So, due to the above reason, and the fact every work I've read thus far is light years above anything I've ever done, I've been wondering what the point of writing anymore Harry Potter is. I just feel like I'm wasting my time and effort, so I'm not sure how much more I'll be doing.

Lastly, I'm fully aware my writing is garbage, so reading that someone skimmed it is nothing I'm the least bit surprised by.

Enjoy.

Ron had such high hopes for this day, pity they were circling the toilet faster than anything the redhead had ever seen, and growing up in the Weasley household, that was saying something.

It was far from the first time he'd been sitting in McGonigal's office in the hot seat. Hell, he'd lost count on the number of times he'd sat here getting his ears blistered by the fearsome woman. It was matched only by the number of times Harry spent in the care of Madam Pomfrey. Although, this time, he'd gone way over the line by trying to sneak Hermione a love potion.

Which is what was currently leading Ron to ask, in his own head, of course, a single, very important question. Quite possibly one of the most important he'd ever had to ask himself, or anyone else.

HOW IN THE BLLODY HELL DID LOVE POTION FIND IT'S WAY INTO HIS DAMN PEACE OFFERING?!

Here he was, trying to apologize and take the high road, for once in his life, and where did that get him? Splattered with the remains of his gift, his cheeks hurting like absolute hell, and getting the mother of all scoldings by one of the most terrifying females in Hogwarts.

Ron really couldn't blame her. If anyone had tried something like that on Ginny or Hermione on his watch, Ron would have happily thrown them from the astronomy tower, smiling while waiting for the splat.

Speaking of Ginny…

Ron risked a look from the corner of his eye at his younger sister. The girl was downcast, eyes glued to the floor and seemingly too ashamed to even look up, let alone speak. At least she wasn't crying, Ron didn't think he knew how to deal with that.

Something wasn't right here, and Ginny was in no condition to do a thing. Looks like it was one of those times that big brother was going to have to step up.

"Professor?" Ron spoke up, interrupting McGonagall mid-rant.

Ron didn't think the elderly scot could get any angrier, but he'd just managed it. Only the foolish tried to speak over McGonagall, students would whisper in the corridors, but only the absolutely most insane would dare interrupt her while she was in 'punishing student' mode, but Ron had no choice.

"We didn't know about the love potion." Ron was quick to press his advantage before an even more furious McGonagall resumed her verbal assault. "Please, just hear me out!"

McGonigal's eyes narrowed, her jaw clenched into a scowl that Snape would have been envious of. "Plead your case, Mr. Weasley, but I suggest you do so, well."

Oh, thank Merlin. She was giving him a chance, and that was all Ron ever needed.

Ron attempted to sit straighter, trying to go for the dignified adult look, but the effect was somewhat lost considering the cupcake he was covered in. Right now, though, he had other concerns.

"First." Ron started scraping off as much of the ruined dessert off his robes, hair, and body as he could. Depositing the remains onto McGonigal's desk, he pointed to them. "I don't know of one, but do you have a spell to confirm the presence of love potion?"

Ron channeled a bit of Hermione in an attempt to make himself look and sound smarter, not for vanity's sake, but because he needed McGonagall to listen. It might be his only chance for himself and Ginny avoiding serious trouble.

Then he'd be able to move on to his bigger concern.

Ron couldn't help the quiet gasp that left him when those piercing eyes were finally averted from himself. Ginny was lucky he was acting as their spokesman. His sister was going to owe him, so much!

Speaking a quiet incantation, McGonagall tapped the mess that used to be several cupcakes with the tip of her wand. Ron didn't have to be a master legilimens to know what the glowing red tip meant. McGonigal's returning glare was more than enough of an indicator.

"Ginny, your turn." Ron had to tear his eyes away from the angry professor.

Unfortunately, Ginny was still out of it. After two attempts of getting her attention, Ron just scooped up whatever of the treacle tart he could while she just sat there.

Another cast later, and it was confirmed that both desserts had been tempered with.

Honestly, Ron was just praying to Merlin that Luna had been wrong and this was all a misunderstanding. He should have known better that it wasn't to be. His luck wasn't that good.

"Okay." Ron headed off McGonagall before she could restart. "So, there was love potion, but we didn't put it in there."

Ron knew what the professor was about to say next, something like 'all troublemakers say that', but Ron knew he had to press his attack while the iron was still hot.

"Ask Luna, or anyone at our table who saw it." Ron spoke quickly. "The potion wasn't just dumped on it, it was baked into it. Do you think me or Ginny know a thing about cooking? We'd be more likely to set ourselves on fire!"

"We can agree, at least on that, Mr. Weasley." McGonigal's voice was still cold, but the fiery rage had abated. Ron and Ginny were still on thin ice, but were slowly inching closer to the safety of the shore. Inch by inch, that was the only way to get out of this.

"We didn't get them from Hogsmeade, either." Ron carried on. "Ask anyone from the village, we were there, but didn't buy a thing. In fact, I know exactly where… these… came… from…"

McGonagall was on Ron in an instant. "Do you have something else you wish to share, Mr. Weasley?"

"No… she couldn't have…" Ron looked away, his thoughts running rampant. Surely, she couldn't have been so…

"Mr. Weasley!" Angry McGonagall was back. "You were saying?"

"We asked our mum for help!" Ron blurted but continued before his professor could ask him to elaborate. "We told her we needed something to get Harry and Hermione's attention and say we were sorry… but… we didn't say anything about a love potion!"

McGonagall was no fool, she could see instantly what had Ron so worried.

"Mum adores Harry, even more than some of her sons…" Ron thought out loud. "And everyone here knows Hermione's brilliant. Could she have…"

Ron was a horrible actor, everyone knew it, McGonagall included. While was why the older woman knew the look of fear and utter horror on her student's face was very much real.

"While Molly Weasley can be a… forceful, woman, and thoroughly enjoys playing matchmaker, I am unsure if she would stoop to such a level." McGonagall said. "Alas, I do not know if this knowledge would be enough to prove your innocence."

"We can write to her!" Ron pleaded. "Ask her. I'm sure this is just a huge misunderstanding and mum thought she was trying to help." Before McGonagall could say another word, Ron added another point. "You can read the letter home if want, or even write it for me with my name on it, maybe even have it delivered straight to you while we're at it. Just let us try to get this figured out, please!"

"Since we cannot ascertain your innocence at this time, I'm afraid I must still insist on a punishment. Detention with me for both of you for the next three weeks." McGonagall began but this time, she didn't let Ron even try to interrupt her. "However, if it does come to light that the fault was not yours, then you both will be absolved of all pending punishments, and all detentions served will instead be counted as extra credit towards my class."

Considering Ron's awful grade in her class, a little extra credit would be like galleons from heaven. Ginny was nowhere near as bad, but he was sure she could use the extra credit, as well. Seeing as how Ron was certain they were not at fault here, he was sure there was no way they could lose here.

McGonagall said nothing for several long moments, but her stare remained, pinning the panicking Gryffindor in his place like a bug. The leer remained, even while the professor pulled a quill and a roll of parchment out and slapped them in front of Ron.

"Thank you." Ron quickly went to writing without another word.

Ron kept his letter simple, leaving out the utter failures of his and Ginny's proposals. He did straight up ask his mother if she put love potions in the desserts, but left out why he was asking. Normally, he'd try to be a bit more subtle when his mother was concerned but this wasn't the time for that.

Once done, he passed the letter to McGonagall for inspection. The professor dried the ink with a flick of her wand and nodded her approval.

After telling the Weasley siblings she would see to the letter's delivery and response, they were dismissed from McGonagall's office. Thankfully, she was kind enough to cast a cleansing charm on them to rid them of the ruins of their botched gifts.

"Whew." Ron sighed once he and Ginny were out in the halls and out of earshot. "That was intense. I think my heart stopped a few times back there."

Taking a few steadying breaths, Ron turned to look at his sister when he didn't hear a response.

Ginny was still downcast, eyes glued to the floor, her hair covering most of her face. As much as younger siblings could annoy someone, Ron couldn't deny it hurt seeing his younger sister so despondent.

"Hey." Ron certainly wasn't the best at comforting someone for any reason, but this was still his baby sister, so he was going to try. Draping one arm over her shoulders, he pulled her into a one arm hug and used his best gentle voice. "It'll be alright, don't worry. We'll get out of this and I'm sure you, me, and everyone will have a good laugh once we get this figured out. It's like chess, we just need to take one enemy piece at a time."

Ginny was silent, but her head did nod a little. It wasn't much, but to Ron it was a major victory.

Now for the truly hard part. Facing Harry, Hermione, and the rest of Gryffindor.

Ron was not disappointed.

The instant Ron and Ginny stepped into the Gryffindor common room, there was a number of angry glares directed straight at the Weasleys. For a moment, Ron wondered if this was how Harry felt during the Tri-Wizard Tournament. He internally cringed when he remembered his own part in that.

Ginny almost immediately made herself scarce, fleeing to the safety of her dorm. While he hadn't seen any tears yet, Ron sincerely hoped she wasn't running away to bawl her eyes out away from prying eyes.

It definitely didn't help that Harry had rejected her so heavily in front of the entire great hall. Almost everyone knew of Ginny's crush on the boy. To be rejected so brutally like that, not to mention that comment about leaving her in the chamber… ugh, if Ginny wanted to go have a good cry, she was entitled to it. Might make her feel a little better, too, getting it out of her system.

While Ron wanted to have a go at the boy for that same comment about the chamber, Harry did have a point. Right now, all evidence pointed to Ron and Ginny trying to love potion both of them, and in light of that, their anger was justified.

Plus, Ron doubted Harry meant what he said, he was probably letting his temper get the better of him, again. Good thing he had Hermione there to calm him down, even if she was raging herself.

Hmm… Harry and Hermione, now that was one Ron had been too distracted to see coming. He'd been so focused on Lavender this year, he'd been completely neglecting his other friends.

Now that he was sitting here in this chair and allowing his brain to actually think for a bit, he realized he should have seen this coming from miles off.

Ron knew Harry had a thing for his sister, just like he knew Hermione had a thing for him, although, currently Ron was questing what the brunette saw in him because of his awful behavior. With Ron dating Lavender, and Ginny seeing Dean, maybe the Weasley's were just too stupid to realize Harry and Hermione were not going to wait around for them forever.

Ron did have to admit, and we would freely do so, he was happy for them. Harry and Hermione were a good pair that complimented each other quite well. While he did still care deeply for Hermione, if Ron had to see her in someone else's arms, who better than his best friend, Harry?

Although, until they got this love potion fiasco figured out, Ron doubted the pair would share that sentiment toward him. Right now, he was no better that hippogriff dung on that bottom of their shoes. Another sentiment that was being shared by most of Gryffindor.

As much as it pained him, Ron knew he had no choice but to grin and bear it until McGonagall got that letter back from his mother. At best, she would exonerate her children and Ron would be able to get started on worming his way back into his closest friends' good graces. At worst… Ron didn't want to think about that. If his mum didn't do that love potion, then Ron was completely out of ideas on who could be responsible.

Lavender, maybe? Nah, while she was reasonably upset about being dumped, especially since she figured out it was because of another girl, Ron doubted she had something to do with this. She was neither spiteful, nor smart enough to come up with a plot like this. Not to mention, she couldn't bake to save her life, either. Ron knew first hand from some of the treats she'd tried to make for him.

Ron had to repress a shudder at the first burnt confectionary he's been foolhardy enough to try. Ron didn't think he'd ever discover a food he didn't like, but somehow, Lavender had managed it.

Looking down at the chessboard on the table in front of him, Ron sighed. He wasn't cut out for such heavy mental labor. If Hermione wasn't about to string him up by his own hair, he'd go to her for help. She'd have this figured out in no time, or at least point him in a better direction than a generic anywhere like his mind was doing.

Since no Gryffindor was wanting to come within ten feet of him, Ron didn't even have anyone to play chess with to distract him. Oh, yes, this definitely must be how Harry felt back during that tournament. At least nobody was wearing 'Ron Stinks' badges, but at the rate this was going, he wouldn't be surprised to see them.

Ron had no idea how long he sat there starring at the set chess board, but he knew it was a while. He was just considering playing a game against himself when he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye.

The Gryffindor common room wasn't exactly packed, but a large part of the house was here. Over by the fireplace, Ron saw Harry, Hermione, as well as Neville and several others laughing and having some kind of discussion while a small plate of brownies sat on the table between them.

Ron frowned, wishing he was over there with them, not just because of the snacks. Yet, understood why he was persona non grata at the moment. While it stung, he tried not to think too much about it. He'd fix this, somehow, then fix his broken friendships.

It was like the chess analogy he'd given Ginny, they needed to focus on one enemy piece at a time.

Harry and his group were not what attracted Ron's attention, though. That honor went to a certain redheaded girl inching along the outer wall of the common room. With her being a brash and impulsive person, seeing his sister actually sneaking around the common room had Ron's brow furrowed in curiosity.

What was his sister doing now?

After a minute, Ron managed to see his sister's face, but what worried him was the way she intently stared at the group by the fireplace, as if waiting for something or some kind of sign.

Having grown up in a household with the trickster gods that were Fred and George Weasley, Ron liked to think he had a good sense for when someone was about to be pranked. Not only that, he'd gained an understanding of the facial cues of a prankster waiting on their latest scheme to unfold. Usually, it wasn't enough to save his hide, Fred and George were masters of their game face.

Ginny was not.

Seeing Harry lifting the brownie to his mouth had Ron already dashing across the room.

"Stop!" A couple of Gryffindors were sacrificed on the alter that was the common room floor, but they were in Ron's way and had to be knocked over. The redhead didn't even break stride as he leapt over the couch to smack the brownie out of Harry's hand, almost knocking him and Hermione onto the floor, too.

"Ronald Weasley!" Hermione hissed dangerously once her brain recovered from the shock. Judging by the heavy book she was reaching for, the brunette was about to grace him with the upgraded version to the two slaps he'd already gotten.

"I think those were spiked with something!" Ron quickly defended, before anyone else could start yelling.

It did occur to Ron that he might be overreacting, and there was nothing wrong with the brownies. Ginny could have easily just been starring longingly at her crush, and it was pure coincidence that Harry and Hermione were about to eat some treats, but right now, Ron wasn't about to take any chances. He'd rather everyone be mad at him, than risk them getting dosed with something.

Ron was at a loss on how to explain when he saw Ginny practically bolting for the portrait hole.

"Don't let Ginny get away!" Ron shouted as he tried to jump back over the couch to intercept his sister, but his foot caught and he fell onto the carpet.

Much like Ron, Ginny had tried to shove past several other Gryffindors to get to her goal. Unlike Ron, she lacked the physical frame or muscle to do so effectively. She managed to get past a couple, but she was slowed too much by others.

Ginny never made it to the exit before her arms were seized by a couple of confused Gryffindors.

By then, Ron was able to recover and make his way over to his detained sister.

"Trying to flee the scene, Ginny?" Ron struggled to keep his temper in check. He really didn't want to think his baby sister could be capable of something like this, but a couple pieces were beginning to slot into place. "Did you know?"

No answer.

"Ginny, did you know?" Ron asked again, a little more forceful.

Ginny didn't say anything, but her eyes looked away every time Ron tried to meet them.

"Ron, what's going on?" Harry found his voice.

"It seems my little sister here," Ron nearly spat the words, like each one was burning his tongue, "knew about the love potions, but didn't think I should know."

While Ron didn't think Ginny was capable of this, at least not at first, his suspicions were now climbing fast. He was desperate for Ginny to defend herself. He wanted her to deny it, but it seemed she wasn't going to. Her silence might as well have been a confession.

"And I'm betting you if we checked those." Ron didn't take his eyes off Ginny, pointing over his shoulder at the brownies he'd scattered to the floor. "We'll find either more love potion, or something else."

Silence.

Ron doubted everyone would believe him, but at the moment, he didn't really care. He was too angry that his own sister could do something like this to both him and their friends.

Ron had had enough.

Taking a page from his mother's playbook, Ron grabbed a handful of his sister's red locks and pulled hard. While Molly Weasley preferred ears, Ron didn't think he'd be able to find Ginny's among her long hair, so he found a suitable substitute.

"Ow!" That got a response from the youngest Weasley.

"Ginevra Weasley, I am so disappointed in you!" Ron wasn't trying to, but even he had to chuckle inwardly at how alike he sounded to his mother. "Sorry, everyone. Weasley family business."

Pully Ginny along by the hair, Ron led her to the portrait hole.

"Let's go have another chat with our head of house, shall we?" Ron smiled, but there was no cheer or mirth in it. "I'm sure she would love to hear about this."

"Ow! Stop!" Ginny tried to pull away but Ron's grip was firm. "That hurts!"

"Good!" Ron nearly yelled, punctuating his words with occasional not-very-gentle tugs on Ginny's hair. "Let this be a lesson to you. Friends. Don't. Love potion. Friends!"

Ron yanked Ginny into the hall but poked his head back into the portrait doorway one last time.

"Hang on to those brownies!" Ron almost ordered before turning a glare at his sister he had trapped out of sight. "I'll be back for them, later. I want evidence!"

As Ron pulled Ginny along, silence reigned in Gryffindor common room.

"I cannot believe, you!" Ron had managed to rein in his temper after a few minutes, but he was still horribly upset that his sister could do something like this. "I thought you were better than this, Ginny!"

"Let me go." Ginny kept trying to pull her hair free, and if she didn't give it up soon, she really would be yanking it out by the roots. "Let me go!"

"Not a chance." Ron verbally smacked her down. "You and I are going to McGonagall and we're going to get this sorted out, right now! I don't care if I have to drag you."

Something clicked in Ginny shortly after Ron said that. She started thrashing about almost violently, trying to get her hair free so she could run. However, her smaller fingers were no match for Ron's, her red tresses remaining locked in his hold. She was pulling so hard, a couple times Ron thought he'd accidently tore her hair out.

"Ginny!" Ron had to hold tightly, lest he lose her. "What's gotten into you?"

"Have to get away, have to get away." Ginny repeated over and over under her breath in pure terror. Never before had Ron ever seen his sister so panicked or scared. "Have to get away."

"Snap out of it!" Ron retained his grip on her hair, but now had his other arm wrapped around his sister's middle, trying to hold her in place. "What's going on? Do you need to see Madam Pomfrey?"

If Ginny could hear him, she wasn't showing it. The girl continued to flail in his arms, trying to get away from her brother.

Now, Ron truly was concerned. Ginny wasn't acting like herself and he wasn't so stupid as to think he could handle this on his own. Ginny definitely needed to see the infirmary, but it was too far away, seeing as how it was looking like he needed to carry out that threat of dragging her.

He'd drag Ginny to the infirmary if he had to, but McGonagall's office was closer. He'd get Ginny there first, then come up with what to do next with the help of his head of house.

Abandoning Ginny's hair, Ron instead locked his arms around his sister, pinning her arms to her sides in the process. She didn't relent for a second in her attempts to escape. If anything, with each step, she seemed to grow more fearful.

It was hard to tell with her back to him, and with her frantic movements, but Ron could have sworn he saw the sparkle of tears starting to form in her eyes.

With no other recourse, Ron tightened his grip and half carried, half dragged, the wild animal his sister had become down the halls. At least said halls were empty, he didn't even want to attempt to explain this one.

After a few minutes, Ron couldn't hide his groan. While McGonagall's office wasn't very far from Gryffindor common room, it was going to be a long trip with Ginny so out of sorts.

Ron had just clenched his jaw and accepted the task before him when he felt Ginny shifting in his arms.

At first, he thought Ginny was making another attempt to escape, but Ron could feel this was something different. Her body twitched, her flesh seemingly rippling while he watched. All the while the girl whimpered and gasped for air.

Ron had only seen the effects once, but he remembered the results quite clearly.

A single word echoed around within his mind as he watched Ginny twist and writhe in his arms.

Polyjuice.

My first plan was for this to be a single one-shot, but after getting halfway through the first chapter, I decided to give it a chance and attempt another multi-chapter work alongside my other Lunar Harmony work "Noticing", so the plot had to be expanded to compensate.