Disclaimer: Part one.
Dedication: Still to the Quill! Power to the Quill!
What do You Have to Say for Yourself?
"Hand me that ink pot, would you, Ginny?" Ron barely glanced up from his work and when he did, Harry noted, he was smiling. It was beyond strange, as far as he was concerned.
"Sure," Ginny nudged the ink to her brother absentmindedly. "Harry, do you mind leaving late for Hogsmeade this weekend? I've got a detention from Snape on Saturday morning."
"Me too," Ron responded before Harry could. "What are the chances Snape'll let us serve them together?"
"Slim and none," Hermione said without looking up from her homework. "And it's your own fault if you miss going…I told you not to give Crabbe jelly slugs for his Potion." Ron snickered and winked at Harry.
It was all just so wrong, Harry reflected. He was essentially snuggled up on the sofa with Ginny Weasley and Ron hadn't so much as batted an eye; not even when Harry had explained about the kiss. "Doesn't any of this strike you as odd?" he burst out.
"Any of what?" Ron asked, puzzled. Hermione and Ginny looked at Harry expectantly.
Harry rubbed his eyes. "Me…dating Ginny. I mean, we're all mashed together up here on the sofa," he made a frustrated motion with his hands. "And you…" he paused, unwilling to mention the fact that, though Ron and Hermione weren't looking at each other or anybody else in the room, their feet were tangled together under the table. He went with the other 'and you' in his mind. "You're so…casual… about it all."
"You'd prefer shouting and tense silences?" Hermione asked, hiding a smile.
Ginny giggled and raised her eyebrows. Harry rolled his eyes. "No. I guess I always thought that if anybody so much as looked crosswise at Ginny, Ron would…he'd…"
"That I'd be twice as wound up as McGonagall's panties are tight?" Ron grinned
"Ron!" Hermione looked aghast. Ginny laughed outright.
"I did, yes. I guess," Harry ignored both girl and focused on his best friend.
Ron shrugged. "I could do, if you want," he offered with a smile. "But honestly, you're my best mate and Ginny's my only sister…if either of you has to go round snogging somebody it's nice that it's each other."
Harry nodded, touched. "Me too," he muttered, glancing between Ron and Hermione. Ron nodded back and they returned to their homework contented, if not mildly embarrassed, by the outright display of mutual affection.
Life was good.